Learning for life programme (LLP) – community youth leadership

Discover how we develop leadership skills in our students.

Last updated 22 July 2026

Three school photos show students in uniform at assembly, cheering at an event, and presenting a project indoors.

Meridian Secondary School flyer for Leadership LLP DSA programme with student quote and application dates May-June 2026.

Visit this link to find out more about DSA (Leadership) at Meridian:

https://tinyurl.com/mssdsaleadership

Student Leadership at Meridian

In Meridian, we believe that leadership can be learned. Our school aims to strengthen the character and values of all Meridians under a structured and differentiated Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) in Community Youth Leadership (CYL). The school's Student Leadership programme reaches out to all students in the school. Programmes are designed to span across cohorts as well as differentiated groups to cater to students' interests, talents and needs. The school actively partners with external organisations to provide authentic and challenging learning experiences and assignments. At the heart of our leadership approach is Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, which guide students to grow, lead, and lift others. Meridians are encouraged to: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart as they develop into confident and values-driven leaders.

Student Leadership Model

A triangle divided into three tiers showing Self, Team, and Thought Leadership within a circle labeled Community and Within and Beyond School.

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® is a registered trademark of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The Student Leadership Model at Meridian Secondary School is designed to be aligned with the Kouzes and Posner’s Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the four beliefs, and The Meridian Way. At every tier of leadership development, students are provided with opportunities to make meaningful contributions to both the school community and the wider community.

Meridian Secondary offers a multi-path, three-tier leadership training programme that allows students to develop leadership skills through Self-Leadership, Team Leadership and Thought Leadership. While the programme encourages students to progress through each level, they may be recognized for Tier 3 leadership roles based on their achievements, even if they have not completed Tier 2.

To provide a more holistic leadership experience, positional leadership through the formal Tier 1 to Tier 3 progression is complemented by an emphasis on dispositional leadership. Dispositional leadership is grounded in strong personal values. By nurturing traits such as integrity, empathy, resilience and a sense of responsibility, we aim to shape leaders who lead not only through titles but also through character and consistent actions.

One example of this approach is the Visionary Volunteers programme. This initiative empowers students to take ownership of their growth while embracing the values of service and community engagement. Through such experiences, students strengthen their leadership dispositions and broaden their impact beyond formal roles.

Highlights

Two school scenes: students in a classroom presentation and students outdoors holding watering cans, under the heading "Model The Way."

Two school photos: students with a cardboard figure at orientation, and cheer captains with a drum at a football event.

Two photos of students in school uniforms doing outdoor activities, one blindfolded on a colorful court.

Two school scenes: students on a sports court with a leader, and a student presenting to classmates in a classroom.

Students in school uniforms creating team charters and showing care for non-teaching staff, with text "Encourage The Heart."

Visit this link to find out more about the students’ Visionary Volunteers Trailblazers Summit projects: https://tinyurl.com/mssvvts