Student Leadership

Discover how Riverside Secondary nurtures every student's potential to lead. Student leaders grow through hands-on roles and five key leadership practices.

Last updated 30 July 2026

Student leadership at Riverside is based on the belief that all students have the potential to be leaders in their own right. All students journey to discover their strengths under the guidance of teachers. We aim to nurture students who are able to exercise self, peer and thought leadership in their area of influence. Councillors, sports leaders, CCE champs, CCA leaders and Class Committee Exco learn how to positively influence others to achieve a shared goal in both the school and community. The Student Council represents the pinnacle of student leadership and represents the student population in the school.

Student leaders are given many opportunities throughout the years to sharpen their leadership skills. They play an important role in inspiring and rallying students together to achieve and build the school spirit and school culture. A student leader role-models and serves and guides the rest of the student population.

Student leadership development at Riverside is guided by the five practices of exemplary leadership posited by Kouzes and Posner:

Student Leadership Development

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership	Ten Commitments
Model the Way	Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared ideals Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
Inspire a Shared Vision	Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations
Challenge the Process	Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to improve Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from experience
Enable Others to Act	Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships Strengthen others by increasing self determination and developing competence
Encourage the Heart	Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community

Source: The Student Leadership Challenge, The Five Practices for Exemplary Leaders

The picture shows a group of students with a teacher reading The Student Leadership Challenge book

Learning to lead, inspire and make a difference through The Student Leadership Challenge.

Student leaders in uniforms stand in pairs on the school auditorium stage, pinning leadership badges onto one another during an appointment or handover ceremony.

Passing on the badge of leadership as student leaders step forward to serve and inspire.

Two student leaders hold the school flag together on an auditorium stage during the Presidents’ Flag Handover ceremony.

Passing the flag, carrying forward the responsibility to lead and serve.

Student leaders stand on the auditorium stage with their right hands raised as they recite the Student Leaders’ Pledge.

The swearing-in of our incoming student leaders reciting the Riverside Student Leaders' Pledge.

Incoming CCA student leaders from various uniformed groups, sports teams and clubs with school leaders standing for a group photograph in the school courtyard.

Our incoming CCA student leaders step forward as one united team.

Members of the incoming Student Council Executive Committee, dressed in navy-blue school blazers, pose with school leaders in the school courtyard beneath Riverside Secondary School banners.

Presenting our 25th Student Council Executive Committee alongside our school leaders.