Leadership Journey of Shya: Dover Court International School Head Student Spotlight

The Year 12 IBDP student has benefited and grown her leadership skills since joining Dover Court in 2021. Student leadership goes beyond the classroom for her. Shya is an active student who is involved in sports and with Model United Nations (MUN), coming up with solutions to global issues. She is also part of a team of Year 12 students, driving a peer education initiative leading the period education in Years 6 and 8. Read more to find out how Dover Court has made a significant impact on her.

Q. How has Dover Court shaped you as a student leader?

A. Dover Court is really good at providing good student leadership opportunities and not limiting them to a specific year group. I remember being in Year 10 and being the youngest chair for MUN. It was an opportunity that I really loved, and I learnt how to manage a group of people in an environment that is really engaging. I was learning and observing how my teachers communicated to us and used those skills gained to lead students.

Q. You’re active in sports, representing DCIS in basketball. How have sports allowed you to grow leadership skills?

A. I’ve been playing sports since I was young. Coming to Dover, I really like the Wolves sports teams. I joined the basketball and netball team because it works on teamwork, and it benefits both my physical and mental health. I was the captain last year, which was very fun, it has helped me to improve my communication skills. I also learnt how to encourage a group of people to have the same goal and ensure everyone is working together towards a common goal. I benefited and grew my leadership skills from the Tony Robbins Foundation, a leadership summit in 2021. It was a great experience even though it was conducted in the Eastern Time Zone. The four-day programme over Zoom during Covid was a great experience and I wouldn’t have the skills I have now without it. It has allowed me to develop my confidence, lead a group of people and manage people. I was part of the student council when I first joined DCIS in Year 10. It has allowed me to communicate with people of different ages, backgrounds and mindsets. As a diverse school we are all unique individuals and have our own ideas, the challenge, and opportunity is how to bring us all together to work together to create something good.

Q. You have been awarded the DCIS Kindness Values award. Do you think that’s a value all leaders should have?

A. Being kind to yourself and others is important. If you’re not able to be nice to yourself, you’re not able to be nice to others. I think what Dover Court has done well is enforce kindness and encourage it. We have such a kind environment where everyone supports and encourages one another and is genuinely there for each other. Receiving that award was really great and knowing that these types of values awards are recognised beyond academic results. When you’re recognised for the values awards, it not only encourages you to keep doing it, but also others around you.

Q. What is one skill every leader should have?

A. Confidence. If you are not confident in yourself, people will not feel confident of you leading them. Knowing your strengths, being proud of what you’ve done and having self-assurance is important. I think telling someone when they are doing something great empowers people too.

Q. What do you hope to bring as a Head Student?

A. I hope to create an environment where students, teachers and parents have everlasting experiences so we can have good memories to look back on. The student-initiated Spring Formal last year was one such event and people still talk about it.