PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Leadership Program welcomes students who are motivated, hard-working, and eager to take on new challenges. We look for individuals who lead through action, strive to grow as learners, and are committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Our students cherish opportunities to connect with nature, seeing outdoor experiences as essential to personal growth. They also value community involvement and know that volunteering with local partners helps them feel connected and part of something bigger.
We often refer to John C. Maxwell’s quote, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” to describe the kind of leader we help our students become. They start by developing leadership skills in a supportive group setting, building confidence through classroom learning, community involvement, and time in nature (camping trips). By the end of the program, our students enter the adult world with a strong sense of identity, knowing the way, going the way, and showing the way.
The program is organized so that students take four courses together as a Leadership cohort and are integrated with the mainstream school for their remaining courses. Our students have 1/2 of their school day in Leadership courses and 1/2 of their school day in mainstream courses.
Learn more about what happens in each grade by reading our descriptions below. Please also feel free to download our full pamphlet.
Stella flies down the toboggan run!
Class photo during our eagle watching field trip in Squamish
Stella flies down the toboggan run!
Grade 8
In the first year of the program, students are expected to be actively involved in our multifaceted program. Students combine PHE 8, Social Studies 8, Science 8 and English 8 in a four-course program. Students are expected to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours this year on initiatives that fit the Leadership program philosophy. We encourage students to work within the structures present at our school including our Garden Club, the Windermere Community Programs office, as well as other organizations, although student have the autonomy to choose other volunteer opportunities as well.
Class photo on the banks of Chekamus Lake in our first backcountry camp trip
Speaking with the community to spread the word!
Class photo on the banks of Chekamus Lake in our first backcountry camp trip
Grade 9
In the second year of the program, students again combine PHE 9, Social Studies 9, Ecology 9, and English 9 in a four-course program. Students also build on leadership and citizenship skills through new challenges and opportunities. Students are again expected to volunteer for a minimum of 20 hours this year on initiatives that fit the Leadership program philosophy. We encourage students to build leadership capacity by taking on more in-depth roles and responsibilities as they venture into the community.
This is how we make the bed - the garden bed, that is!
Leadership 10 students leading the Fastbreak Tournament (Term 3).
Grade 10
In the third year of the program, students combine PHE 10, Social Studies 10, English 10, and CLE (Career-Life Education) 10 in a four-course program. Students are again expected to volunteer for a minimum of 30 hours this year on initiatives that fit the Leadership program philosophy. Most students do far more than this. Students now begin to take ownership and initiate opportunities for elementary, Grade 8, and Grade 9 students to participate in as well as building their repertoire of leadership skills by taking on greater levels of responsibility.
Youth from across the Lower Mainland participating in the Harsha Walia "Climate Justice" Workshop.
Grade 11
The fourth year of the program sees students combine for PHE 11, Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12, First Peoples English 11, and Environmental Science 11 in a four-course program. Students now volunteer for a minimum of 40 hours this year on initiatives that fit the Leadership program philosophy, with many students exceeding these hours by far. Our senior students now have the skills to lead junior students to create positive change through various initiatives and programs. Students continue grow in their volunteering roles, leading the charge for change.
Click the picture to read about some of our projects!
Grade 12
The fifth and final year of the program culminates with students working on individual projects under the guidance of a CLC (Career-Life Connections) 12 teacher mentor, and sometimes working directly with Windermere Community Programs or individual Leadership projects. Students are expected to take on new challenges that will allow them continued growth as leaders. This is an off-timetable block; students meet 2-3 times a month to debrief and discuss the successes and difficulties they face.