Leadership, voice, and agency are essential elements in primary school education, empowering students to take ownership of their learning and develop important life skills. When children are given opportunities to lead, they gain confidence in their abilities and learn the value of responsibility. Encouraging student voice allows them to express their ideas, opinions, and concerns, fostering a sense of belonging and respect within the school community. Agency, or the ability to make choices and decisions about their schooling, helps students feel more engaged and motivated. Together, these elements promote independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, enabling students to become active, responsible citizens who are capable of navigating challenges and contributing positively to society.

We don’t have school captains here at GIPS. Our student-centred approach supports every single child to have the leadership skills they need to successfully transition to high school. Therefore, each of our students in Grade Six has a formal leadership role in our Student Action Leadership Teams, or SALT. Each SALT group meets with our Principal and Assistant Principal to advise and lead school improvement strategies. There are a range of portfolios from Voice and Agency to Promotions and Sustainability.

In addition to SALT, our student leaders also lead assembly, support our school on fundraising efforts through SRC, lead tours, and much more.