News Release: 21/09/2026

Mon 21^st September
Local leadership development session gives Harrison College students and staff practical tools for reflection, confidence and personal growth

Students and staff at Harrison College took part in an engaging leadership development session designed to encourage self-awareness, explore personal values and help participants reflect on the qualities that support them through challenging situations.

The session was delivered by Dominic Farrell, Director at New Wave Leadership & Culture, who was invited to Harrison College by Gemma Peebles. The work brought staff and students together for an interactive and thought-provoking experience, combining guided discussion, personal reflection, creative activities and engaging reflections from each other.

Participants created their own leadership shields, exploring the values that matter to them, the qualities that help keep them centred and the sources of motivation and resilience they can draw on when facing difficult circumstances. They also considered, the difference between how they see themselves and how others see them, an exercise that prompted a number of surprises, as well as meaningful conversations and new perspectives.
The students responded with enthusiasm, maturity and openness throughout the session. Their willingness to contribute, listen and reflect helped create an atmosphere in which both students and staff could learn from one another. The session left participants with ideas to take away, consider and apply in their own lives, relationships and future workplaces.

“The students and staff at Harrison College were exceptional. They engaged wholeheartedly with the activities and were willing to think honestly about their values, their strengths and how they are perceived by others. That kind of openness is the foundation for genuine leadership development.” 
“My approach is designed to make leadership personal, practical and accessible. Rather than simply talking about leadership as a workplace concept, I help people understand themselves, recognise the impact they have on others and identify the tools they can use when challenges arise. Those insights can support young people as they grow, while also helping organisations build more self-aware, resilient and effective teams.” Dominic Farrell, Director of New Wave Leadership & Culture.

The visit also highlighted the commitment of Harrison College’s staff and leadership team. Dominic Farrell thanked Gemma Peebles for the invitation and Michael Peebles for providing a tour of the facilities and sharing the history of the school.
“The passion, dedication and commitment shown by the team at Harrison College are clear,” added Dominic. 
“The school’s investment in its students and their development is genuinely impressive, and I cannot speak highly enough of its work and mission.”

Supporting future talent through business involvement
The session demonstrates the value of meaningful connections between education and the business community. Businesses can play an important role in helping young people develop confidence, communication skills, self-awareness and a clearer sense of their future direction.

For Chamber members, working with schools can also bring considerable benefits. It offers businesses the opportunity to contribute to the development of future talent, strengthen their links with the local community and gain fresh insight into the qualities and perspectives of the next generation. Sharing time, expertise and real-world experience can make a lasting difference to students—and can help businesses develop a stronger, more socially responsible presence locally.

Businesses in the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce that have the capacity to support Harrison College or other local education initiatives are encouraged to consider how they could get involved. Support might include mentoring, talks, workshops, work experience, skills-sharing or simply offering time and encouragement.

About Dominic Farrell and New Wave Leadership & Culture
Dominic and New Wave deliver distinctive leadership and personal development experiences that help people understand themselves, recognise their strengths, explore their values and improve the way they work with others.
What makes this approach different is its focus on the person behind the role. Dominic brings more than 16 years of leadership experience across the education and manufacturing sectors, together with a depth of research that underpins his work. He also lectures in Executive Education at the University of Hull Business School, which is currently ranked among the top 2% of business schools worldwide.

Through practical, reflective and engaging activities, participants are encouraged to connect leadership with real-life choices, relationships and challenges. The work is designed to create memorable moments of insight that people can take away, reflect on and apply in practice, whether they are students taking their first steps towards their future, emerging leaders or established teams seeking to work more effectively together.
For further information about Dominic and New Wave, its services and how it supports individuals, schools and businesses, visit www.newwaveleading.com