YOU must be willing to do the work in order to become a successful leader.

This was the message conveyed to more than 100 school prefects of Gospel High School by SPC’s Pacific Partnership to End Violence against Women and Girls Project program manager Nilesh Goundar at the school’s prefect induction last week.

Mr Goundar said leadership was not about giving orders or telling people what to do or not what to do and is not about status or power either, but is about service.

“A leader must do the task he or she wants others to do. Please do not order people around when you are not doing the work yourself,” he said.

“If you want to be a successful leader, you must be willing to do the work – be a servant.”

Watisoni Bukalidi of Visoto Village, Ovalau, father to school head girl Emali Bukalidi and deputy head girl Miriama Bukalidi said he was proud of his girls and their new role at the school.

“This means a lot to us as a family, having both the girls hold good leadership roles in the school in their final year. Witnessing this special moment is big for our family,” he said.

“There has been a lot of changes especially seeing them grow up to become responsible young women and we are thankful they have managed to juggle home and school work so well over the years.”

Year 13 student Mesulame Ratumaiyale is the school head boy.

Students, parents, family members, friends and invited guests were part of the special day.