We learnt that being a good leader involves learning to work with others. We engaged in an exercise where we were stranded on the ocean and split into two teams. Our leaders were tasked with negotiating and agreeing upon the priority ranking of 15 items essential for survival. Harder than it seems, tensions rose as the ‘great chocolate debate’ reared its head. Is chocolate or shark repellant more important? By a majority of 1, chocolate won despite loud opposition. More important than victory, it became clear that the real message of the activity was how difficult, yet essential it is, to be a good leader. A fair leader is inclusive and understanding but capable of making difficult decisions without 100% agreement.

Although our grade representatives and committee members made a valiant effort that deserves recognition, leadership is not something that can be mastered in two days. Ultimately, being a leader is more than just having a set of qualities, and the art of community building is not easily learnt. It’s a growing process of learning to fall and get back up, and it is an immense task to hand to students. Nonetheless, the leadership retreat concluded with students brimming with confidence, and the executive team has the utmost faith in the new student council members, and the numerous events and ideas that they have planned.

Finally, I’ll finish off with words from our student council president, Mudra Kashyap: “It was amazing to see the enthusiasm student council members have to work with their peers to make their school experience more enjoyable and inviting. The plans they’ve made over this weekend will surely make this school year very exciting.”

We all look forward to the new school year.