Kempsey Shire Councillors have met with school leaders and accompanying staff from Kempsey Adventist School, Kempsey High School, Melville High School and St Pauls College met to share their perspectives, ideas and aspirations for their local area.
In a statement, Council said not only were the students able to gain a deeper understanding of local governance and how it impacts their community, the meeting also gave them the opportunity to meet with their peers from other schools, encouraging collaboration and creation of shared goals.
Councillors led a workshop and students brainstormed what they value, what they need, what they are concerned about and where do they want to be, focusing on Council’s Community Strategic Plan.
Councillor Ring, who took the idea of inviting the school leaders as a Notice of Motion to Council last year, noted how positively engaged the students were.
“While their ideas might have crossed between local, state, and federal issues, the important message was that our Youth have a strong voice, and we should continue to provide them a platform that gives them confidence and encouragement to be leaders in the wider community beyond school,” said Cr Ring.
