Xinmin Academy of Leaders

Xinmin Academy of Leaders nurtures empathetic, principled student leaders through a supportive multi-tiered framework, encouraging everyone to listen, learn, and lead together!

Last updated 3 August 2026

Our Beliefs and Desired Outcomes:

At Xinmin Academy of Leaders, we believe that every child has the potential to lead. Guided by a whole-school approach, the Academy offers a spectrum of programmes and projects designed to nurture confident leaders who inspire hearts and minds. In line with our Desired Xinmin Outcomes (Every Xinmin Student a Confident Leader), we aim to develop leaders who are rooted in strong values with a strong sense of purpose, and lead with empathy and integrity — individuals who are self-aware, display moral courage and resilience, are guided by the school’s core values, and inspire and work effectively with others towards shared goals. Through our progressive, multi-tiered developmental programme, students cultivate resilience, strengthen their sense of purpose to serve, and hone their communication skills to lead with conviction and compassion.

At Xinmin Academy of Leaders, our guiding motto — Listen, Learn, and Lead — reflects our commitment to nurturing principled and exemplary leaders. The Academy is anchored by three leadership boards: the CCA Leaders Board; Peer Support Board; and the Student Council. They are united under the Xinmin Council of Exemplary Leaders (XCEL), who unite and bridge the efforts of these leadership boards. Together, they serve as the collective voice of the student body, serving the student body and shaping the culture and spirit of the school.

Nine students in navy uniforms pose in front of a green Xinmin Secondary School wall reading "Leading Hearts, Leading Minds."

Student Leadership Framework

Our Student Leadership Development framework is anchored in The Student Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner, and embodies our school’s vision of “Leading Hearts, Leading Minds.” It reflects our belief that by practising the five exemplary leadership behaviours, every student can grow into a compassionate and thoughtful leader who leads with both empathy and intellect.

Five shield badges showing leadership practices: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, Encourage the Heart.

Academy Developmental Opportunities:

Four-level leadership pyramid from Self Leadership at base to Leading Leaders at top, with traits and descriptions.

Level, Opportunities and Leadership roles table

Level	Opportunities	Leadership Roles
One Discovering & Building	Leadership modules for all: Self-leadership Introduction to the Student Leadership Challenge
Two Curious & Exploring	Class Committee Connect sessions - deepening Student Leadership Challenge in the class context and in Peer Support trainings Leadership Adventure Camp - for potential Sec 2 leaders CCA-based leadership opportunities	Class Committee (Class Chairperson, Class Vice-chairperson, Peer Support Leader)
Three Enthusiastic & Performing	Leading key school events (e.g. All Staff Day, Sec 1 Orientation, Student Leader’s Investiture, National Day, Leadership Adventure Camp) Leadership Seminars, Summits and Symposiums Student Leaders Workshops to strengthen understanding and competencies according to the Student Leadership Challenge.	Serving as a Student Councillor or Peer Support Champion or CCA leader.
Four Passionate & Soaring	Our Singapore Leadership Programme National leadership programmes Leading school-wide Focus Group Discussion	Opportunities in serving as part of XCEL, or EXCO in the Student Leadership Boards or CCA.

Our Student Leadership Boards

Xinmin Council of Exemplary Leaders (XCEL)

Ten students in navy blazer uniforms pose on a green court in front of Xinmin Secondary School building.

The Xinmin Council of Exemplary Leaders (XCEL) comprises the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the three leadership boards — the CCA Leaders Board, the Student Council, and the Peer Support Board. It is helmed by the President and Vice-Presidents of XCEL, who provide oversight and strategic direction for various leadership initiatives. Serving as a bridge among the various leadership groups, XCEL plays a key role in strengthening school culture and fostering a sense of unity and pride. XCEL also plans and leads major school events such as the Leadership Adventure Camp and Secondary One Orientation, while representing the collective voice of the student body.

Students sit in an assembly hall at Xinmin Secondary School watching a presentation on gathering feedback on stage.

XCEL has led various level-wide town halls and focus group discussions to better understand the needs of the student body, with the aim of enhancing the school environment as well as students’ well-being and sense of belonging. They have also spearheaded school-wide initiatives such as the redesign of the school’s PE shirt and the organisation of the Caring Teacher Awards.

Student Council

The Student Council is at the heart of student representation, working tirelessly to serve the student body and strengthen school identity and pride. They ensure the smooth running of flag-raising every morning and improve the school experience for students through initiatives such as Movie Night and Xtivities@Recess. Through hallmark events such as the Student Leaders’ Investiture, All Staff Day, Gala Night, and various student-led initiatives, they create platforms for celebration, recognition, and unity within the school community.

Students in navy uniforms play an outdoor activity on a paved courtyard with small ramp targets placed on the ground.

Xtivities@Recess — This initiative, organised by the Student Councillors, aims to enliven the school atmosphere and provide platforms for peer bonding. Through these engaging activities, the initiative seeks to strengthen students’ sense of belonging and foster a vibrant and inclusive school community.

Peer Support Board

The Peer Support Board champions a caring and inclusive school environment. Through empowering Class Committees to build more enabling environments in class through Class Committee Connect, as well as whole-school efforts such as Wellness Week, Deep Xinalysis, and semesterly class bingos, they advocate for student well-being and positive relationships.

The Peer Support Champions attended the Peer Support Summit organised by Limitless. At the summit, they gained insights into peer support strategies, including empathetic listening, and had the opportunity to exchange best practices and build networks with Peer Support Leaders from other schools. Following the summit, they shared their learning with the Peer Support Leaders within Xinmin, fostering the dissemination of knowledge and strengthening the school’s peer support framework.

The Welfare Pack initiative, led by the Peer Support Champions, is designed to uplift students and provide them with an added boost of encouragement and support ahead of their examinations.

Wellness Week, organised by the Peer Support Champions, aims to promote holistic wellness — encompassing physical, mental, cyber, and social well-being — through a variety of engaging activities.

The Class Committee is overseen by the Peer Support Board. Members of the Class Committee participate in Class Committee Connect (C³) sessions, which aim to develop a culture of care within their classes through the Student Leadership Challenge model. The sessions also equip student leaders with project management skills as they collaborate with the Student Council to organise class parties during All Staff Day.

CCA Leaders Board

Students in various uniforms pose outdoors at Xinmin Secondary School's 80th Anniversary celebration.

The CCA Leaders Board strengthens our school’s vibrancy and spirit by enhancing students’ co-curricular experience. CCA leaders are empowered to collaborate across CCAs and pursue initiatives to cultivate a strong sense of belonging and pride in our school through CCAs. Signature events such as Xinmin Royale and initiatives such as CCA dedication board and match support to support our CCAs during competition seasons showcase their dedication to strengthening bonds and celebrating talents.

Two students in navy uniforms stand beside a whiteboard labeled CCA Dedication, covered with photos and notes.

CCA dedication board initiated by the CCA Leaders Board EXCO to rally the student body to pen down encouraging messages before the SYF, NSG and competition season.

Students in navy uniforms perform on a school hall stage before a seated audience, with a screen showing "It's OK, It's Alright."

Leaders teaching the school body cheers before various match supports.

Key Leadership Events

Student Leaders’ Investiture

The Student Councillors planned and organised this significant event to celebrate the appointment of incoming student leaders and to recognise the contributions of the outgoing cohort. The symbolic passing of the torch from one generation of leaders to the next marked a momentous and meaningful milestone in the school’s leadership journey.

All Staff Day

Two girls stand on a stage, one speaking into a microphone, with a colorful "Stars Day" banner behind them.

This event celebrates and expresses appreciation for the dedication and contributions of all Xinmin staff, both teaching and non-teaching. The Student Councillors and Class Committee members collaborated to plan meaningful activities and programmes (e.g. ASD concert and class party) to convey gratitude to the staff, who have devoted their time and effort to nurturing every Xinmin student.

Leadership Adventure Camp

Students in navy uniforms work together on an outdoor rope challenge activity near a wooden post surrounded by trees.

Our signature Leadership Adventure Camp camp is jointly organised and led by student leaders from all three leadership boards, who come together to plan and facilitate activities for potential Sec 2 leaders. The camp serves as a platform for potential leaders and student leaders to collaborate, bond, and strengthen their leadership competencies through a range of outdoor and team-based challenges. It also encourages them to step out of their comfort zones and apply their leadership skills in new and meaningful ways.

Sec One Orientation

Student Leaders from all three leadership boards collaborate to design and facilitate a programme to welcome the newest members of the Xinmin family. The Student Leaders carefully plan activities that help Secondary One students acclimatise to the school environment, foster a sense of belonging, and build meaningful bonds with their peers.

Student Leadership Training

The Sec 3 Student Leaders from all three leadership boards participated in the Student Leadership Training, designed to help them understand and apply The Student Leadership Challenge. Through this training, students learnt to practise the five leadership behaviours—Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart—within authentic leadership scenarios. They reflected on their personal influence and its impact on others, developed and communicated a shared vision aligned with team goals, and applied effective conflict management strategies to build and sustain positive relationships within their boards.