“I found staffie training exciting, engaging and eventful. Within a matter of days, everyone at camp felt like they were a part of a close-knit family who could rely on and support each other"
Things are heating up for the NYSF 2019 Year 12 Program. Rotary district selections are done, and the 2019 Student Staff Leaders have completed their training.
In July the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) held its Student Staff Leadership Program (SSLP) in collaboration with training partner Outward Bound at their facility in Tharwa, in the ACT.
The student staff leaders are selected for the role by their peers and represent the youth stewardship of the NYSF as a meaningful and legitimate development opportunity, by youth for youth. Resilience, team work and a determination to succeed are qualities we look for in our NYSF Student Staff Leaders (Staffies).
Through the program, participants develop awareness and social connection, and gain an understanding of individual and group values, and the development of supporting and trusting relationships within a shared leadership approach.
To start the program returning Student Staff Leaders ran training sessions for incoming staff on a range of skills, from communication skills to how to present to audiences. This was accompanied by talks and training from the NYSF Corporate Staff, and lots of group bonding!
After four big days of training, Student Staff put their survival skills to the test and headed out on a three-day hike into the beautiful Namadgi National Park. Experiencing the snowy part of Canberra's winter, the trek was designed to push and challenge participants, teaching individuals to contribute to a team to achieve a positive common outcome.
Staffie "in training" Esther Nixon learned a lot from the program.
“The NYSF Student Staff Leadership week was quite possibly the most amazing week I’ve ever had, as I found the training to be so valuable, even outside of the NYSF. I personally enjoyed the mental health session and was so grateful for the skill set I was equipped with in potentially dealing with students or anyone for that matter, who may need to talk to me about something that is personal or bothering them," she said.
Mark Ziegelaar travelled from Moonee Ponds in Victoria to participate in the SSLP Program.
“I found staffie training exciting, engaging and eventful. Within a matter of days, everyone at camp felt like they were a part of a close-knit family who could rely on and support each other," Mark said.
“I am volunteering to be a staffie because I want to give back to a community that has offered me so many opportunities throughout my life. I also want to remove the stigma that having a passion for or excelling in STEM subjects is ‘nerdy’, because it is of the utmost importance that society encourages future generations to continue to pursue science and remain innovative.”
We are confident the new cohort of NYSF students will be in safe hands in January when the SSLP graduates return to help deliver the 2019 Year 12 Program.