Varsity College Prep Trains for the Future

(By Emily Cotter – Bond University Journalism student)

Varsity College Preparatory school is gearing up to implement Steven Covey Seven Habits of highly effective people into their community, making them one of the first school systems in Australia to use program. 


In order to carry out the program next year the Varsity College Prep teachers take part in frequent group training lead by Varsity Preparatory principal, James Forrest, and acting deputy of the senior school, Nicole Brazeau.

The training sessions take place every few weeks and involve brainstorming sessions that ultimately create the best tactics for the faculty to apply the habits in their classrooms fully next year.

Year two teacher, Kim Williams, find the sessions valuable to the process and has already introduced some of the habits in her classes.

“I think they have been very beneficial to the process because you’re getting a lot of other people’s input and everyone’s starting to learn a lot more about the 7 habits,” said Williams.

Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits program is comprised of seven core habits that aim to build each student’s self esteem and help them find the independence to become a leader in whatever they may choose.

Acting Deputy of the Senior School, Nicole Brazeau said the program will do more than help with classroom skills.

“We really want to enhance students ability as lifelong learners and build the twenty first century job skills that later on they will be expected to have.”

“Not everybody can be a leader in everything but the kids might be really good at a skill that they can lead in and in terms of self esteem building, it will be a very powerful program,” she said.

Although the program is in the beginning stages, Senior School Principal, Andrew Taylor, recounted a recent experience shared with him by James Forrest.

“James said ‘I have parents coming in saying ‘what’s going on? Rather than fighting at home our kids talking about a win-win and how they can synergize’ its great to hear,” said Taylor.

The program is gradually being implemented and is expected to be fully active in Varsity College Preparatory School by next year.