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Inspired by the forthcoming Jubilee Year which has the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, this year’s Sixth Form Leadership Conference hosted by the Jesuit Institute and Stonyhurst College gave a wonderful opportunity for the Sixth Form student leaders in the British Province schools to explore what it means to lead with hope. Nineteen students from across the five secondary schools gathered at Theodore House, Stonyhurst College for an intense conference with the theme Leaders of Hope, focussed on leadership skills, self-awareness, mission and action.

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The key-note speaker for this year's conference was Chris Lowney (author of the book ‘Heroic Leadership’) who gave examples of many great leaders in the business, sport and military spheres.

Stonyhurst Collections shared artefacts from inspirational people who stories give a lived example of servant leadership. This led the students to consider practical action - how can good leaders change the world? Jesuit Missions gave many examples of young people doing just that, working in partnership around the world.

This conference makes people understand how and what it takes to become a strong leader. The networking opportunities are vast, and the knowledge gained from the conference is invaluable.

(Student feedback)

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The students then worked collaboratively to create their own presentations about the role Jesuit Education is making in forming them into leaders of hope for the future.

Students who attended the conference spoke about how the it helped them with skills including public speaking, encouraged them put themselves in the shoes of others more and listen well, helped them see the importance of identifying the skills of others and being able to get everyone to contribute to the team effort. The conference also provided great networking opportunities, and it affirmed them in developing a sense of identity and community and a pride in ‘being Ignatian’.

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