05 February 2026
On Day 0, ahead of the official start to the 2026 academic year, our Year 12 school leaders from co-curricular programs and House leadership teams arrived in full uniform—ready to get a head start on the year and dive into a dynamic leadership workshop with Tom Jonas and Nat von Bertouch.
Tom opened the morning by challenging students to explore the idea of culture—what it is, how it forms, and why it matters. Together, they unpacked the concept that “culture is what we reward”: when we celebrate the good and hold each other accountable, we build a community we’re proud to belong to. Students reflected on the best and worst teams they’ve been part of—what made some groups thrive and others falter.
Through open discussion, they identified what truly matters to them in a team: shared expectations, genuine support, and relationships that make the work not just productive, but fun.
Although our students frequently engage with the School’s values, this session encouraged them to go deeper and ask, “What are my values?”
Tom and Nat guided them in identifying their personal compass—the beliefs that shape their actions and define their leadership. They discovered that when we stand firmly in our values, our decisions and behaviour follow with clarity and purpose.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to explore leadership, values and expectations with Tom and Nat as part of their ongoing leadership development.
To close the session, Mr Eaton and Ms Christensen continued the conversation, helping students connect this new learning with the groundwork they laid last year—reinforcing that leadership is a journey, not a moment.
Ana Christensen
Deputy Head of Senior School – Students
