Last week Young Observer met with the Student Lighthouse Team at Francis Patton Primary.

The school has adopted and implemented the Leader In Me principles since 2011. These principles support the teaching of Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Various staff members have attended local and overseas conferences to learn about the seven habits.

Mrs Roberts, who is a parent and Co-Chairperson for the Student Lighthouse Team is assisting with organising a trip for the student team to visit two schools in New Jersey. She explained: “This year our focus is to have students on our Student Lighthouse Team experience a leadership school environment. The objective of the trip is to identify and develop 21st-century leadership trends implemented in an established Lighthouse School.

“The goal is to have 100 per cent of students make connections with how their role as a leader compares to the roles and responsibilities of global student leaders.”

Students will be visiting two Lighthouse Schools in Long Island, New York – Merrimac Elementary and Lynwood Avenue Elementary. The students and school team – Mrs Garita Coddington (Principal), Miss Shequita Parson ( Deputy Principal), Ms Shanika Parfitt (Language Lead Teacher), Mrs Florence Sharpe-Trott, Mrs Wendy Tully (Volunteer & Student Lighthouse team Chairperson) and Mrs Komieko Roberts (Parent and Co-Chairperson Student Lighthouse Team), will spend a full day at each school.

They will be observing lessons, have a question and answer response session with the school’s lighthouse team, speak with parents on the Parent Lighthouse team, observe the roles and responsibilities that students have in the school, synergise with students in classes and hope to develop lifelong friendships with aspiring leaders making global connections.

Mrs Wendy Tully, Chairperson of the Student Lighthouse Team told us: “The budget for the trip is $1500 per student. The school is looking to raise money for 13 students and four staff members. The PTA has been very supportive with donating funds to the traveling team.

We are planning three big fundraisers which we hope the public will support:

— Carwash at the school January 30, 2016

— Pot Luck at the school February 6, 2016

— Francis Patton’s Annual Leadership Day – March 18, 2016 (at the school $50 ticket)

Francis Patton Primary Principal: Ms Coddington said: “We are so thankful for the support of our parents/guardians, community members and all stakeholders who believe in the vision and mission of Francis Patton Primary.”

Some of the Student Lighthouse Team shared some of their thoughts with us on the upcoming trip:

Gabrielle Samuels

Age: 9

“My hopes for this trip is to learn what they do different from our school. I’m going to prepare for the trip by studying the seven habits.”

Zahra Lathan

Age: 10

“My hopes are to learn more about the two schools we are visiting and what their Lighthouse does. I want to know if they have visited other schools to teach the seven habits.

“I use the seven habits in and out of school. I’m not afraid to let people know who I am.

“My favorite habit is habit number four ‘think win-win’ because it makes everybody feel happy.”

Sierra Bartel

Age: 6

“Habit number four ‘think win-win’ is my best habit. It helps me to work hard.”

Callahj Simons

Age: 6

“I am a leader, I love to guide people. I want to learn more things that they do in their Lighthouse Schools to see if they are different from ours.”

Kimora Dill-Daniels

Age: 8

“I like to change people’s lives to make their lives better by teaching them the seven habits. I’m patient, respectful, kind and responsible.”

Kymaree Pitt

Age: 8

“I am funny and smart. I love sports and running is the best; we synergise at school and talk about how we live the seven habits and how to speak with confidence.”

Teshi Zuill

Age: 8

“I listen to my teacher and learn new things, I am good at mathematics.”

Elijah Simpson

Age: 8

“I set goals, get my work done and have good classmates.”

Treasure Lindsay

Age: 9

“I want to be a leader at all times and teach others how to be a leader.”

Akiiki Nyabongo

Age: 9

“Habit number one – be proactive, not reactive. Be setting goals.”