Logo with the word 'Empowerment' in bold, yellow letters, and a white diamond shape in the middle, with a blue background and the tagline 'empowering authentic, connected, empathetic people' below.

Answer The Call: Lead through Empowerment

Student leadership formation grounded in  

relationship development of self and others.

The Snapshot:

Answer the Call: Lead Through Empowerment

Empowerment-Ed’s Answer the Call is the peak student leadership development program for senior students. Grounded in experiential learning and authentic formation, this program is designed to elevate student leadership and prepare young people for the transition into their final years of school and beyond the school gates into adulthood.

Leadership Programs for Students That Go Beyond Titles
We are not simply appointing selected leaders, we are forming all leaders. Answer the Call invites students to reflect deeply on their personal story, build relational capacity, and develop the mindset and skills needed to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose.

Student Leadership Development That Lasts
Delivered through a flexible structure, ranging from six-month journeys, to intensive leadership camps, or smaller sessions; the program includes:

  • 14 evidence-informed modules

  • Six transformative leadership rituals

  • School-specific integration and support

  • Professional development for staff to ensure consistent delivery

Whether embedded into your school’s existing leadership framework or introduced as a new initiative, Answer the Call is the most comprehensive and adaptable student leadership formation program available.

Reflect. Realise. Lead.

Embedded with rituals of transition, authentic reflection, and connected conversations, Answer the Call is Empowerment-Ed’s signature student leadership formation program - crafted to help students discover their unique potential, regardless of their story or personality.

Grounded in Empathy and Growth
Through a journey anchored in self and collective empathy, students are invited to reflect deeply, engage meaningfully, and grow into leaders who lead themselves before they lead others.

Flexible Delivery for Every School Context
The program is delivered through a number of options:

  • A comprehensive 14-module student leadership journey over six months

  • A condensed 2–3 day leadership camp for immersive impact

  • Bespoke packages including half-day, full-day, or keynote experiences

Whether your school seeks a full leadership curriculum or a powerful standalone experience, Answer the Call adapts to your needs while maintaining its transformative core.

Infographic outlining a two-phase program for personal and leadership development. The first phase, 'Lead and Empower Self,' includes chapters on storytelling, comparison, growth, relationships, confidence, self-story, and purpose. The second phase, 'Lead and Empower Others,' covers leadership qualities, enabling others, embracing challenges, and connection. Four icons at the bottom depict the steps: encountering the call, embracing the challenge, embarking on the journey, envisioning the future, enacting the vision, and empowering others.

 FAQs

  • Empowerment-Ed’s flagship student leadership formation program, Answer the Call, is designed to guide students through a transformative leadership journey. The program is built around two core themes, each containing seven dynamic modules with a total of 14 leadership development experiences that foster self-awareness, relational growth, and authentic leadership capability.

    Contextualised for Each School
    Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the program is embedded within each school’s unique culture and calendar. Students engage in six key leadership rituals or milestones, including cohort gatherings, reflective experiences, and rites of passage; all culminating in a powerful senior induction ceremony.

    Why It Works
    Going beyond a traditional leadership camp, it’s a comprehensive, school-specific formation experience. We believe Answer the Call is the best leadership program for students because it equips them not only to lead others, but to lead themselves first. It’s a proven pathway to elevate student formation and empower senior students to step confidently into their leadership roles.

  • Empowerment-Ed’s Answer the Call is a flexible and school-specific student leadership formation program designed to meet the unique needs of each school community. While the program is most impactful when delivered over six months, schools can choose from three tailored delivery options:

    Option 1: Six-Month Formation Journey

    This is the most comprehensive format, combining:

    • Cohort engagement, reflective rituals, and immersive experiences

    • 14 structured lessons focused on pastoral care, life skills, and leadership development

    • Professional development for staff, led by Ben from Empowerment-Ed, to ensure consistent and confident delivery

    Key student leadership rituals are aligned with existing school traditions. Where gaps exist, Empowerment-Ed introduces meaningful milestones to enrich the overall student formation experience.

    Option 2: Intensive Leadership Camp (2–3 Days)

    Schools may opt for a condensed, high-impact leadership camp experience.


    Ben facilitates this immersive program alongside key pastoral and wellbeing staff, guiding students through core leadership modules and reflective activities.

    If schools are also wanting a sessional engagement (half-day or keynote style), this can be arranged.

    Option 3: Elected Student Leaders Camp

    Ideal for schools with established leadership structures, this option focuses on elected student leaders.
    Held at the end of Year 11 or start of Year 12, it equips students with the mindset, skills, and rituals needed to lead with authenticity and purpose.

  • Absolutely. Answer the Call: Lead through Empowerment is designed to complement and elevate existing student leadership programs, not replace them. Our goal is to align with your school’s current leadership framework, preserving the elements you value while enhancing the overall student formation experience.

    Strategic Alignment, Not Overhaul
    Rather than asking schools to start from scratch, we work collaboratively to integrate Answer the Call into your existing leadership journey. This includes:

    • Strengthening key leadership milestones already in place

    • Introducing new rituals and modules where needed

    • Ensuring senior students are equipped with the mindset, skills, and confidence to lead with authenticity

    Why It Works
    This program is the value-add that takes your leadership process from good to transformative. It’s not just about titles or roles, it’s about empowering students to lead themselves and others with empathy, purpose, and clarity. That’s what makes Answer the Call one of the most impactful leadership programs for students available today.

  • Empowerment-Ed’s Answer the Call: Lead through Empowerment offers a flexible suite of student leadership formation packages, tailored to each school’s context and calendar. While package selection is finalised in consultation with your school, every option includes the essential tools to deliver a high-impact leadership program for students.

    Core Inclusions (All Packages)

    Every school receives:

    • A full scope and sequence of the program

    • A professionally designed student booklet to guide reflection and growth

    • A teacher planner to support lesson delivery and consistency

    • Resourced PowerPoints for each module

    • Ritual and rite of passage planning documents to embed meaningful milestones

    • Administrative templates (e.g. parent letters) for smooth implementation

    • Ongoing support from Empowerment-Ed to ensure success

    All teachers delivering the program participate in Professional Development facilitated by Ben, ensuring alignment with Empowerment-Ed’s values and pedagogy.

    Optional Add-Ons (Package Dependent)

    Depending on your selected package, you may also access:

    • Parent information evenings to build community understanding and support

    • Cohort keynote presentations to launch or celebrate leadership milestones

    • Leadership camp visits (for schools running the six-month module)

    Schools opting for the intensive 3-day leadership camp receive all core inclusions, adapted to suit the condensed format.

  • At the heart of Answer the Call: Lead through Empowerment are six transformative student leadership rituals that shape the journey from self-discovery to collective impact. These experiences are designed to embed meaning, foster reflection, and elevate student formation within your school’s leadership framework.

    🪄 Encounter the Call

    The beginning of the leadership journey. Students gather as a cohort to explore the road ahead, receive their leadership gift, and commit to the transformative experience ahead.

    🧭 Embrace the Challenge

    In core-class or House groups, students reflect on their personal story, strengths, and challenges; laying the foundation for authentic student leadership.

    🏞️ Embark on the Journey

    Held off-site, this immersive experience invites students to explore the kind of person and leader they aspire to become. It’s a pivotal moment of visioning and growth.

    🌅 Envision the Future

    Students articulate their hopes, goals, and dreams for their final year and beyond. They craft personal mantras to guide their leadership mindset.

    🤝 Enact Vision

    Individual visions are woven into a cohort-wide leadership pledge, aligning students around a shared purpose to lead their school with unity and clarity.

    💡 Empower Others

    The final ritual marks the beginning of their leadership in action, students step into their core leadership role by building the capacity of others through empowerment.

A group of young people attending an indoor seminar or workshop, seated on chairs and listening to a speaker holding a microphone. A large screen behind displays a presentation slide titled 'Small talk matters' with an illustration of two cartoon fru
A group of students seated on the floor of a classroom or seminar room, listening to a man giving a presentation. A projected slide displays the logo for 'Senior Retreat 2024' with some text underneath.
Group of young women in matching sports uniforms on stage with a man in a pink shirt, smiling and posing for a group photo in front of blue curtains.
A man giving a presentation on a stage to an audience in a conference room, with a large screen displaying a purple slide.
A classroom filled with students in school uniforms sitting on chairs, engaged in a lesson or activity, with a projector screen displaying 'Your Life in 60 seconds' at the front of the room.
A man holding a microphone giving a presentation to an audience. The slide on the screen behind him reads 'Chapter 2: Lead self, compare self to past self' with two bullet points: 1. Apples and bananas, 2. Celebrate others. The setting appears to be

Testimonials

  • Thanks Ben Russell for sharing your time, expertise and wisdom with our 2026 Seniors and Formation Team! A really engaging and high energy workshop that kept the students on their toes by challenging their mindset about individual and collective leadership capacity. We also had some additional staff request to join the presentation as they are hearing about the great work you are doing. Thank you and well done on a successful afternoon, believing that we can make a difference with young people and their potential to inspire others through strength of character.

    Brendan Flanagan - Assistant Dean of Formation - Ambrose Treacy College

  • Great session. Students were engaged the whole way through and feedback from them has been affirming. A Great starting point for our leadership journey with our Year 11's.

    Nathan Burridge - Head of Senior School - St Laurence’s College

  • Hi Ben, Thanks again for tonight. I had over 30 students speak with me this evening about how much they enjoyed your session. Staff feedback has also been excellent. I just wanted to pass this on to reaffirm the valuable contribution you are making with our students.

    Duncan Greenbank - Head of Senior School - Matthew Flinders Anglican College

  • Another Leadership Retreat draws to a close at Marymount. Blessed with the best of both worlds; dedicated teachers from our community and external facilitator, Ben Russell from Empowerment Ed.

    Emma Hargraves - Assistant Principal - Marymount College

  • Great to have you Ben Russell as our first presenter of the ‘Raise The Bar’ Leadership series we offer our leaders. The appetite for leadership and the talent we have in all year levels at Mount Alvernia College must be nurtured. They are our future! Thanks again.

    Michelle Licina - Deputy Principal (Student Development and Wellbeing) - Mt Alvernia College

Get in Touch

For a friendly chat with our Director Ben, call 0422 066 281. For questions, bookings, and more info, please complete the contact form.