2023 Grad Conference: Embracing Tradition and Leadership at LCS

At Lakefield College School, traditions are a cornerstone of our community, connecting students across generations and grounding them in the rich history of The Grove. For our Grade 12 students, the final year at LCS is a culmination of these traditions, and we encourage them to savour every moment of their Lakefield experience.

One such cherished tradition is the Grade 12 Leadership Conference, an annual rite of passage for our graduating class. This conference serves as a unique opportunity for our Grads to come together as a tight-knit group, forging connections with faculty and staff before the arrival of their younger peers.

The core objectives of the conference remain steadfast each year: to help our Grads feel settled and at home, to ensure their comfort in their leadership roles and the concept of shared leadership, and to provide them with a platform to critically ponder how they can inspire student engagement and excitement among their peers throughout the upcoming year.

This year's conference featured a series of activities centred around essential themes such as community, empathy, listening, teamwork, trust, and joy. Some of the topics explored included fostering a welcoming environment, framing Grad Leadership, and promoting inclusivity through visible connections.

Pete O'Grady, Director of Student Leadership, emphasized, "Our goal is to enable each of our students to develop their individual potential as self-confident and ethical leaders who are active and engaged citizens in all aspects of their lives and who are positioned to make a positive difference in whatever endeavours they choose to pursue in the future."

During the Grad Conference, our Grade 12 students also delved into our unique Senior Student Leadership Model, a hallmark of LCS. This model provides every graduating class member with the opportunity to assume a position of responsibility and participate in the decision-making process for events, programs, and activities that impact the entire student body.

Our 2023/24 Co-Head students were nominated earlier this year, and in the coming weeks, students will accept Student In-Charge (SIC) roles across various areas, including Guidance and Academics, Outdoor Education, Admissions, Development, and Communications.

As the school year unfolds, we eagerly anticipate witnessing how our students embrace their leadership roles, nurture a sense of community, and inspire their peers, leaving an indelible mark on the Lakefield College School legacy.