The impact of positional leadership on secondary school captains

Abstract

This article examines the impact of positional leadership on secondary school captains in a group of 'like schools' in Queensland, Australia. Through six studies, using document analysis, interviews, observations and focus groups, with school captains, parents and teachers, a number of perceived areas of impact on the students holding these positions emerged. These impacts involve relationships, roles and responsibilities, personal well-being, learning skills and learning management, self-management and self-confidence. The study suggests that through the status and responsibilities associated with the position and the self-awareness that grows during school captaincy, the young person is likely to experience deepening maturity more quickly than might otherwise be the case.