FOR a few precious hours, the student became the master.
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Earlier this week Orange High School year 11 student Elijah Smyth had the opportunity to be a senior executive in the NSW Department of Education.
The experience was part of the ‘Secretary for a Day’ program and was conducted as part of Education Week, which ran from Monday to Friday.
Elijah shadowed Director of Aboriginal Education and Communities Michele Hall as she took part in meetings at the department’s Sydney offices.
He was also present for the official launch of Education Week, something he described as “quite an experience”.
While Elijah can’t see a career in the classroom or at the education department in his future, he learned plenty from his time with some of the state’s most important public servants.
“It showed me how leaders take control,” he explained.
“I can see how important those leadership skills are to get the best outcomes.”
One of the aspects which surprised the teenager was the relaxed nature of the department’s staff.
“They were all quite happy, laid-back people,” he said.
“I thought they would be very serious. They were serious about their work, but they were just positive and respectful.”
Secretary of the education department Mark Scott said the opportunity afforded to Elijah was not extended to many students.
“Only 20 students statewide were chosen to take part in this prestigious program,” he said.
“Secretary for a Day is a rewarding opportunity for talented students to have first-hand experience in working as a senior manager in a large organisation like the Department of Education that makes important decisions.
“At the same time, the program gives Department leaders the chance to connect with and better understand what motivates our students by hearing about their experience in public education.”