STUDENTS from local primary schools and high schools converged at Glenmore Park High School this week for a leadership summit to discuss civic responsibility, resilience, and social wellbeing, organised by Glenmore Park Learning Alliance.

The cohort of over 150 students included students from Year 6 all the way to year 11 and 12 seniors.

The day offered an opportunity for students to discuss questions around leadership, and the forms it takes both at school and in the wider community.

Students started their day with an informative session from some Penrith Panthers stars, then had an afternoon Q&A with Cr Garion Thain, Penrith’s youngest ever Deputy Mayor.

Cr Thain said the flood of questions and enthusiasm from the students was the highlight of the day, with even more questions being asked than scheduled.

“It was really great to have some facetime with people who are already leaders in their school community, and are some of the future leaders of our local community,” Cr Thain said.

“We talked about the idea of leadership as a muscle you grow through experience – not an innate skill that anybody just has or doesn’t have.

“I wasn’t a student leader myself growing up, so we also spoke about the idea of leadership beyond the badge – how it’s never too late or early to start standing up for your values. That could be in school, around your mates, on the sporting field, in the workplace or even in your family.”

Questions varied from what are the best and hardest parts of leadership, learning how to set boundaries, balancing Councillor responsibilities with work and family, and how the Deputy Mayor admitted that, being born in the 1990s, he is officially “Unc status.”

“These guys were really bright and engaged, it was great to chat to them,” Cr Thain concluded, “the future of Penrith’s in good hands.”