Student Leadership

At GEMS Metropole School we provide all students with the opportunity to Discover Leadership.  We believe that student leadership develops confidence, resilience and responsibility.  Through a wide-ranging leadership programme our students are becoming creative thinkers, problem solvers and more effective communicators, which is an integral part of lifelong learning.

Student Leadership is visible in all aspects of Metropole life. It is embedded within our curriculum and there are many opportunities to develop personal leadership skills within our broad master-class enrichment programme.  

 

Our Aim

Our purpose at MTS is to ensure all students are fully supported and encouraged to:

• Develop their leadership skills to prepare them for future opportunities
• Hold the highest standards of respect towards others and the environment
• Strive for an inclusive community at MTS
• Aim to be outstanding role models both in and outside of school life

 

We have Student Leaders across all phases of the school, representing a variety of key areas.

 

Primary Overview

 

Prep and Senior School Overview

 

Leadership in the Senior School

Our extensive leadership positions in Sixth Form prepares students for future roles and responsibilities. The prestigious roles of Head Boy, Head Girl and Senior Prefects have a dynamic contribution to school life.

 

Sixth Form Leadership 2022/2023

 

Student Leadership Inauguration Ceremony

To recognise and to celebrate Student Leaders who have been successful in their applications, Metropole School hosts two Inauguration Ceremonies at the start of every academic year. The Inauguration Ceremony is a prestigious event, and parents are invited to attend. 

During this event, students who have a role for the year are welcomed onto the stage to receive a badge from the school Principal. To help identify leaders and to raise their profile, students are expected to wear their school badge as part of their school uniform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House System

At GEMS Metropole we nurture an inclusive atmosphere and a strong community spirit through our house system, to which all students belong.  There are four houses, which are named after popular racing teams: Ferrari, Mercedes, Mclaren and Williams. House Captains have many important responsibilities throughout the year, they are the leaders of their houses who encourage pride and inspire team ethos.

 

House Captains

The House Captain position is possibly the most prestigious role a student can apply for.  Elected students will lead across the school to develop a culture that excites and motivates other students. In addition, they will be the role models for the wider school and will attend key school events. They will also be required to support assemblies, lead internal inter-House competitions, help at school events, meet visitors and give tours of Metropole School.

Students will develop their leadership skills through actively leading a team of other student leaders, working towards deadlines, organising their workload and balancing it with their schoolwork and their ability to collaborate with one another to reach a goal.

Students across the key stage will vote for who they would like to represent them as House Captain.

 

School Council

Every student in Junior School and prep and Senior School will have the opportunity to apply to be a Student Council Representative. Pupils will vote for their class representative.

Every class will have one representative, and these pupils will form part of the School Council for their year group. Being a School Council Representative allows pupils to voice their opinions alongside management within the school, and they will have their views considered in decisions which impact upon them and their peers.

Student Leaders will debate issues and will have a ‘real voice’ in the decision-making processes within school. Furthermore, students will discuss a wide range of important topics, issues and initiatives. Students will develop their debating, planning and people skills in this role, and will also understand the importance of democracy. Students will represent their peers to create positive change for all members of the GEMS Metropole Community. 

 

Sport Leaders

Sports leaders will be responsible for leading and assisting in the delivery of sport and physical activity sessions in school. Events will include Sports Day, Swimming Galas and the competitive Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Sport Leaders will be working with children of all ages with different sporting backgrounds therefore developing their communication skills. Sports Leaders will be ambassadors for the Metropole Physical Education department and will be a role model to other students.

 

High Performance Leaders (HPL)

HPL Student Leaders will play a key role in supporting world class learning at GEMS Metropole School. They will celebrate student achievement and develop student understanding and awareness of the HPL dispositions.

Selected students will be responsible for rewarding students who have excelled in the HPL competencies through assemblies and through joining staff on Learning Walks. Students will also support with developing students’ understanding of the HPL competencies through creating assembly videos and tasks to promote HPL. As HPL leadership is a new role, they will later be involved in creating a job description for future HPL leaders as a legacy project.

Students will have the opportunity to develop this role as the year progresses. Our HPL leaders will become experts in how students learn and will be able to identify these skills in practice, throughout lessons. They will develop their intellectual confidence, the ability to collaborate within a team while being organised and able to plan small projects.

 

Eco Leaders

Eco leaders will play a key role in our sustainability development at GEMS Metropole School. Being an Eco Leader allows the students to be an ambassador for our environment as well as them developing their own innovative solutions to local and global eco challenges. Students who would like to apply for the Eco Leader role need to be passionate, caring, committed and responsible critical thinkers.

Other roles include:

• Raising awareness about sustainability
• Taking care of the plants in the potting shed, hydroponics and MTS farm
• Raising awareness of different Eco celebration days
• Secondary students will be part of the running the MTS Farm Shop
• To take part in MTS Farmers Markets
• To participate in innovative sustainability projects
• To develop their entrepreneurial and leadership skills

Throughout the year, selected students will be involved in a wide range of activities. These incudes creating and making progress towards maintaining our Eco Schools Green Flag award. Additional projects including- enriching our MTS Farm Stall and growing the Metropole Farm.

 

“Be part of the solution, not part of the pollution” – Anonymous

 

Digital & Social-Media Leaders

Digital leaders will test and feedback on new software and hardware that is going to be used in classrooms. Digital Leaders will be involved in competitions and will raise awareness of such events across the school. Furthermore, social leaders will be responsible for showcasing exciting things via the social apps.

Other roles include:

• Techy tip of the week
• Testing out new platforms
• Helping students in a termly genius bar
• Working with peers and staff to improve their skills
• Taking lead of content creation for the school socials

To be successful, students will need to take ownership over tasks and complete them in a timely manner. Working collaboratively is an essential part of being a Digital Leader, especially when encouraging the use of tech or creating social posts.

 

Wellbeing Leaders

The aim of being a Wellbeing Leader is to raise the profile of this important agenda and bring an additional layer of energy and collaboration to MTS; students deserve to have a voice and to be more involved.

Other roles include:

• Promoting healthy lifestyle, well-being and resilience.
• Building awareness of the sources of support in MTS.
• Being kind, caring and helpful towards others.
• Develop presentations, newsletters, posters, display boards and raising awareness through school events.

Students will aim to become a compassionate and conscientious leader. These attributes will support them in school, but these skills are transferable and would support them in future work environments. Being a good leader requires understanding of the needs of those they lead and know how to help and inspire them.

 

 

SSAT Leadership Programme

For students in Years 6, Prep, and Senior school, students can apply to undertake a leadership qualification. Schools, Students and Teachers (SSAT) is a national training provider that offers students the chance to build a portfolio demonstrating how they have developed their leadership skills. With the guidance of a teacher over an academic year, students are required to complete ten small projects to meet the course criteria. The projects can be carried out in school, at home, or within the wider community.

 

 

Science Leaders (Primary)

Science Leaders are selected by the class teacher; however, the teacher can change their chosen Science Leader whenever they wish in order to give other students an opportunity to lead. Therefore, there is no application process or inauguration ceremony for this position, instead the rationale is to give as many students the chance to be involved as possible over an academic year.

During lessons, the Science Leader will be expected to be a role model for their peers, modelling the correct scientific language and ensuring all members of the class are carrying out investigations in a safe, fair manner.

Students will also have the chance to lead investigations, share their ideas with other leaders and will contribute to whole school events such as Science week and STEAM Day. A Science leader is a fantastic opportunity for any budding scientists to develop their leadership skills within the subject.

 

Maths Leaders (Primary)

Maths Leaders are selected by the class teacher; however, the teacher can change their chosen Maths Leader whenever they wish in order to give other students an opportunity to lead. Therefore, there is no application process or inauguration ceremony for this position, instead the rationale is to give as many students the chance to be involved as possible over an academic year. 

The Maths Leader role enables children with an especially keen interest in Maths to take on extra responsibility in the classroom. They will set high standards in class in terms of completing tasks and helping assist peers where appropriate.

Maths Leaders will help their peers understand tricky concepts by creating ‘how to’ guides and videos explaining their learning. Maths leaders will also take responsibility for setting up and monitoring mental arithmetic competitions including Times Tables Rockstars for their class to compete in.

 

 

English Leaders (Primary)

English Leaders are selected by the class teacher; however, the teacher can change their chosen English Leader whenever they wish in order to give other students an opportunity to lead. Therefore, there is no application process or inauguration ceremony for this position, instead the rationale is to give as many students the chance to be involved as possible over an academic year.

English leaders will be able to confidently support other students in the class in English lessons as well as with their reading. As well as supporting in the classroom, the English leaders will take part in planning, preparation and promoting English events in school such as the Emirates Literature Festival and World Book Day.

In class, these students will be responsible for ensuring the reading target display is updated on a weekly basis. English Leaders will also ensure that the reading corner in the classroom is kept up to date with a book of the week. In years 4, 5 and 6, students will also lead and drive peer assessment in the classroom. They will also create pupil voice surveys to address areas of development in this subject.

 

Playground Leaders (Primary)

The purpose of having Playground Leaders is to enhance the breaktime experience for all students in our school and to develop leadership skills in children. All students can sign up to be a Playground Leader, and pupils will receive support in learning how to organise activities for other children in the playground. Through games and activities, leaders will create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.

The role of being a Playground Leader will vary between year groups. However, all students will be expected to be exemplary role models and to develop the spirt of inclusivity and positive wellbeing. Playground Leaders will be trained to plan and deliver safe and engaging physical activities for their peers.

Pupils will develop their organisational skills and their ability to adapt to different situations. Furthermore, students will need to learn how to deal with conflict/emotional issues using their problem-solving skills to help others.

 

 

Science Leaders (Secondary)

Science Leaders apply for the position at the beginning of the year. The Science Lead teacher and the department will review and select the most appropriate candidates to become Science Leaders. They will be involved in the organisation and preparation of Wacky Wednesdays, and they will also be responsible for creating events related to science including Earth Day and National Scientist Day. They will also have the chance to lead investigations, share their ideas with other leaders and will contribute to whole school events such as Science week and STEAM Day. A Science leader is a fantastic opportunity for any budding scientists to develop their leadership skills within the subject.

 

Maths Leaders (Secondary)

In Secondary, students apply for the Maths Leaders roles through an application process. The applications are read by the Head of Department along with other members of the department to choose who best is suited to the role. Two students from each year group from Year 7 up to Year 11 are picked to be involved over the academic year.

The Maths Leader role allows students with a passion for Maths to become involved in creating tasks and organising competitions throughout the year. These will be for LEAD time, Pi-day and World Maths Day, just to name a few. In addition, Maths Leaders are also responsible for organising House competitions to be held during assemblies and/or break and lunchtime and encourage the whole of secondary to get involved.

 

English Leaders (Secondary)

The English Leaders in Secondary school must produce a paragraph detailing why they should be chosen to be an English Leader in Gems Metropole. These applications are read by the English department to ensure that the best candidates are chosen. English Leaders will oversee different English competitions/events that will be taking place in the UAE and across the world. Furthermore, they will promote competitions to ensure that all students have the chance to be involved. They will also be proactive with English workshops and clubs that are running in the school.  Most importantly, they will promote their clear love and passion for English.  

English leaders meet every Thursday at lunchtime. During this time, they conduct and are responsible for very important and informative meetings. They then liaise with the English Lead Teacher to explain their ideas. This will allow them to have responsibility for the changes that they can make across the school, be hard-working and show great HPL skills.

 

Performing Arts Leaders (Secondary)

Leadership in the Performing Arts enables our students to apply a wide variety of creative and collaborative skills. The PA leadership program enables the students to take part in unique and bespoke learning environments both in school and within the community. They help in the organisation of celebrations and shows in the school and the wider community.

 

Emirati School Ambassadors (Secondary)

Ambassadors are elected by their fellow Emirati students. They represent and lead their Emirati cohort in the relevant school, providing a student voice and taking the lead in key events such as Flag Day, National Day and Emirati Children’s Day. Ambassadors should have an impact when they share their views and should be expected to regularly promote the values of the UAE. They will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by supporting school activities and service projects, firmly upholding cultural expectations.

Through active participation in the School Council, Emirati Student Ambassadors will inspire others, yet also contribute and enrich Metropole’s core values and vision. Emirati Ambassadors will also attend half termly Emirati meetings with the Emirati leaders and members of SLT