Head Girl 2024 Eunice. Like previous years, Schools That Rock interview Head Leaders of High Schools in South Africa. Today’s candidate interviewed is Amy Pastor, Head Girl 2024 Eunice High School in Bloemfontein.
Amy, tell us more about yourself and your leadership.
- In 2021 I was in my first leadership position. I was sort of thrown into the deep end but I came to learn how to lead quite quickly. I learnt from older leaders and mentors for years and definitely learnt so much through tough times. I started getting more confident, understand what true leading is (serving) and started getting placed in more positions where I just grew so much as a person and learnt so much.
What are your most important values as Head Girl 2024 Eunice?
- KINDNESS, humility and selflessness. To put others first for me is extremely important and to lead from behind.
What are your personal goals for your leadership year? And for Eunice?
- My goal is to cultivate a culture of kindness, friendliness and engagement. I feel as though this is a culture that is missing in a lot of schools of today. I believe if that culture becomes the norm, teenagers would feel a little happier in a very sensitive time in their life that could impact them forever.
- My goal for Eunice this year is to also step into the kindness culture but also to embrace unity this year and do activities as a school that shows how we can work together and be united to achieve something great.
Amy, what is your strongest leadership trait?
- I put a lot of effort into fostering relationships with the people who depend on me and confide in me. Relationship is key and making the people that you serve feel seen and loved and being someone they can come to with anything is something I am proudly quite strong in.
How do you get cooperation from your team?
- Once again, teambuilding and connecting is the best way I can engage everyone’s interest. When a team feels apart of things and seen and acknowledged they bring their hearts into what they do. If they do not know you as a person they will question your intent and wont feel that they need to take part. To have trust in me and me in them.
If you could be any dog breed, what breed would you be? Why?
- A Border Collie, as they love to be outdoors and enjoying the little things even if its just in the garden and I might biased because I have a border collie at home who just enjoys life all the time!
How will you lead your team through change?
- I would aim to be transparent. Transparency allows for everyone to understand, take time to see why things are changing. If the team individually has problems I would sit down with them and try to help them understand. Allow them to express their concern. Because through the team accepting it they can help others accept it too.
What stands out most to you at Eunice?
- Eunice is a place that grooms you to be an independent and fun loving young adult that can enter the world with confidence. There are so many opportunities to take part in something and try something new. Eunice girls carry a brightness and that is what makes me smile in the morning while passing them in the corridors.
Who is the person you look up to? Why?
- I look up to Tasha Cronje. She was Head Girl in 2021 and she truly led with such a big heart for others and I wish to lead like that. To be known for a heart that is big and full of love. She was also motivated and took her leadership role seriously. She knew it was an honour and did her very best to make every day as Head Girl count. It is because she knew that she can make a difference and that is exactly the type of person that inspires me and how I would hope to be like one day. Kind but determined and have a never give up attitude.
What has been the highlight of your school run track so far? Why?
- The highlight must have been the first day of matric. To see my peers that I’ve journeyed with for 11 years, all come together and just enjoy this last first day energy, was one of the most special moments of my high school career. I saw how my peers helped each other and was embracing the School Camaraderie.
What are you daydreaming about?
- I daydream mostly about what will happen after school and what my future might look like. How to enter the next season that is coming closer each day and how to approach it.
How will you persuade Grade 7 learners to consider your school from Grade 8?
- I would tell them that if they want to experience a sisterhood, have loads of fun and live the teenage dream to try new experiences while meeting the most amazing people then they should come to Eunice High School.
In which direction do you want to study after school? At which University?
- I would like to go into Astrophysics either at UFS, Wits or UCT.
Amy, the last question: how would your friends describe you?
- They would describe me as a very peaceful person and someone who enjoys a good laugh, good dance and want to have fun majority of the time. Yet can be serious when the situation calls for it and be caring for those around me and who need me.
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