United by a shared goal of amplifying the student voice, approximately 110 student leaders from all nine Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) secondary schools attended the Student Leadership Forum at the BWDSB Education Centre on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Visiting for a second straight year, keynote speaker, human rights strategist, and author Chris D’Souza delivered a powerful message which encouraged deep critical thinking about the equity and anti-oppression landscape with the goal of fostering student leadership. Attendees were challenged to think of ways in which they could support their student peers in becoming leaders, and to develop school wide strategies promoting love and dignity. Each school had an opportunity to work as a team to organize an event or activity and learn about available funding for their group to support a student engagement initiative.
The day also consisted of workshops covering topics ranging from self-care for student leaders and the Indigenous focused “Mino-Bimaadiziwin” (“The Good Life”), to community involvement and defining student leadership. Students also enjoyed fun and interactive activities such as button-making and a chance to create beadable pens.
Thank you to Student Success and Student Support staff for hosting and coordinating the event, as well as our BWDSB student senators who helped to facilitate the day. Appreciation is also extended to the Owen Sound District Secondary School Leadership Class for coming to share and role model what it looks like to be a student leader.