Shared Leadership in Action
One of the great strengths of Holy Cross College is our commitment to shared leadership. We firmly believe that the best schools are not led by staff alone, nor by students alone, but through genuine partnership, where young people and adults work together with a common purpose: making our community the very best it can be. This week’s blog celebrates that shared leadership through the reflections of our College Captains, Aliyah and Bhavish, whose voices, insights and service have enriched our College in countless ways.
As Principal, I have the privilege of working with many young people, but I continue to be inspired by student leaders who know who they are, understand the values that guide them, and are determined to leave their community better than they found it. Aliyah and Bhavish have consistently demonstrated these qualities. Their leadership has never been about recognition or status. Instead, it has been characterised by selflessness, humility, courage and a genuine desire to serve others. They have sought to listen, advocate, challenge respectfully and contribute positively to the life of our College.
No matter what kind of week I am having, I always look forward to our Monday morning tea together. Those conversations have become a highlight of my week; a time to hear the student voice, gain new perspectives, celebrate successes and work through challenges. While the meetings may have been intended as leadership discussions, they have also been opportunities for connection, trust and mutual learning. I can honestly say that I leave each meeting encouraged and inspired by their wisdom, maturity and commitment to our community.
As their time at Holy Cross College draws to a close, I know they will both be greatly missed. However, I am equally confident that the qualities they have demonstrated here will enable them to make a positive impact on every community they become part of in the future. We are incredibly proud of the young adults they have become and honoured to call them alumni of Holy Cross College in the years ahead.
While student leadership is often visible through events, assemblies and initiatives, its true impact is found in the relationships, conversations and shared commitment to building a positive school culture. For that reason, we have chosen to co-author this week’s blog, offering both student and staff perspectives on a leadership partnership that has become a valued and meaningful part of our College life.
We hope these reflections provide an insight into how authentic collaboration between students and staff strengthens our community and helps shape the next generation of servant leaders at Holy Cross College.
Here are the shared reflections of our College Captains, Aliyah and Bhavish.
By Aliyah
Year 12 has had its ups and downs. There have so many things to keep us excited and on our toes, but none of these occurrences were the same. The only constant in me and Bhavish’s lives were our Monday meetings with Mr Borrello. Some of the best leadership conversations have come out of these meetings: explanations for things we don’t agree with, sneak peeks into what’s to come, and just being able to provide a voice for our fellow peers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving others, and these meetings really amplified that. They kept me grounded and secure in my own responsibility as a leader. I recall the pretty quick ease of tension I felt sitting at that table in the staff room, a cathartic feeling I’d call it, and how now, I feel more than confident in my ability to dispute and raise awareness to situations I never once thought I could talk about. It’s an honour to pass these meetings down to Logan and Esset, and I have no doubt that they will succeed just as we did, or even better.
By Bhavish
Every Monday morning, we sit down with Mr Borello for our weekly meeting – a ritual that seems like just a meeting, but has quietly become one of the most grounding parts of our leadership journey. These conversations aren’t rushed or transactional; they’re intentional. They give us space to engage in the values of leadership rather than just preaching them. In that small window of time, leadership becomes less about tasks and more about character – about who we are becoming together, not just what we are doing.
What we value most is how human these meetings are. We talk openly about challenges, celebrate the small wins, and unpack the moments that shape the culture of Holy Cross. Sometimes we walk in with ideas; other times with questions. But we always walk out with clarity. Mr Borello encourages us to think beyond the immediate – to consider the ripple effect of our choices, the tone we set, and the example we leave behind for younger students.
These Monday mornings remind us that leadership isn’t loud, dramatic, or defined by a badge. It’s thoughtful, relational, and grounded in service. It’s built in the quiet moments where we learn to listen, to reflect, and to grow. And as we continue the final stage of our journey through Year 12, these meetings become a steady anchor, shaping not just how we lead today, but the kind of people we hope to be long after we leave Holy Cross.
Life to the Full!
Albert Borrello
Principal