School leaders 2023: Primary and Secondary school leaders in central west
Central west students share their goals for the 2023 school year. Read what each student said.
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With almost half of the school year completed, a new generation of school leaders have emerged at schools across the central west.
Leaders from across the region have shared what they hope to achieve this year and legacies that will follow.
Meet the school leaders of 2023:
DUBBO COLLEGE SENIOR CAMPUS
Zoe Mcaneney - School Captain
As school captain at Dubbo College Senior Campus, Zoe Mcaneney’s position involves attending school-based community events, taking charge in school assemblies and connecting with other students through leadership programs.
“You need to show that you have contributed to school life in a positive way,” Zoe said.
“I really appreciate all of the opportunities I have had as a student of Dubbo College and for me, leadership was a way to give back to the community.
“Like any Year 12 student, my goal is to do well in my HSC and get an ATAR high enough to study Occupational Therapy.
“After uni, I would love to come back to a regional area as there is a shortage of medical professionals and it is really important that regional communities have access to health services.”
Throughout her schooling career, Zoe has been involved in sport and various leadership activities to prepare her for captaincy.
Kane Macfarlane - School Captain
Kane Macfarlane’s duties as being a representative face of the school are to ensure that school values of respect, integrity, equity and strive are upheld by every student.
“I attend weekly SRC [Student Representative Council] meetings where we plan school-wide events and discuss issues raised by the student body as well as attending weekly meetings with the principal,” Kane said.
“I wanted to become school captain because I wanted to make a positive impact on the school and help make it an inclusive and positive space for all students.
“The selection process involved an interview with the principal and presenting a speech in front of the whole student body.
“Being School Captain was important to me because I have had so many opportunities at Dubbo College, so I wanted to represent the school and ensure that other students also have a positive experience.”
Throughout his experience in leadership and mentoring, Kane has been inspired to study teaching.
GILGANDRA PUBLIC SCHOOL
Lukas Bamblett-Thompson - School Captain
Year 6 leader Lukas Bamblett-Thompson represents the school during assemblies, special events and collaborates during SRC meetings.
“I entered the position by firstly being a respectful student over the years and earning a good reputation,” Lukas said.
“I then spoke in front of the school about how I would be helpful and a good leader.
“I decided to pursue this position because it has always been my dream to be the school captain and to lead the school.
“I have been in this school for the la”st six years, and I have always looked up to the past school leaders and I hope the littler kids can be inspired by me.”
Lukas shares his passion for his schoolwork and states he is in the highest maths group.
“As captain this year, I would like people to remember me as an inspirational young person who tries in everything that is set in front of me and anything I do, I do with pride,” he said.
Pippa Rogers - School Captain
Fellow school captain Pippa Rogers enjoys being a “quality role model” and fundraises for various charities the school supports.
“I am proud to be a student at Gilgandra Public School and a leadership role is a privilege that I thought I could earn,” Pippa said.
“Also, my sisters had been school leaders in the past and I wanted to be included in the list of special people that make a difference to our school.
“I hope that I am a good role model to others and that they learn how to hold themselves respectfully and proudly.
“I hope that people remember me when they think of how great our school is.”
YEOVAL CENTRAL SCHOOL
Lara McKenzie - Year 6 School Captain
Wanting to set an example for other students Lara McKenzie was nominated to be school captain by teachers and her peers.
Lara has been school captain for two years and “wants to do it better and continue to improve as a leader”.
“My goals are to continue to push myself academically and to continue to improve as a leader,” Lara said.
Cody Russell - Year 6 School Captain
Setting an example for younger students, Cody Rusell is looking forward to his leadership position and helping younger children.
“I really wanted to be a leader in our school, to have primary look up to me,” Cody said.
“I wanted to help primary kids when they have problems.
“Maths is my favourite subject because it is challenging.
“My goals this year are to become a better listener, to improve my division skills and to enjoy and do the best that I can in my last year of primary school.”
Nathanial Scanlan - Year 11 School and House Captain
Being the captain of his school Nathanial Scanlan is also part of the school’s Positive Behaviour for Learning team.
In his role, he represents the student voice to staff and community members to “ensure that there is open dialogue which can result in meaningful change”.
“My motivation to become a school leader was to step out of my comfort zone and try new experiences,” Nathanial said.
“I also believed that this problem would help develop new skills, such as communication, problem solving and teamwork.
“My goals for the year are to successfully navigate through the academic year and achieve my personal best.”
His passions are “seeking others achieve their personal best” while striving to achieve his own.
Lucy Smith - Year 11 School and House Captain
As school captain of Yeoval Central School Lucy Smith presents awards at weekly assemblies, leads SRC meetings and attends special events like ANZAC Day services.
“I wanted to be part of making a difference in the school,” Lucy said.
“It was also a great chance to give a voice to my peers and bring forward to ideas that really matter to them.”
Through her leadership, Lucy can develop and improve her skills to serve students, staff and the community.
Passionate about biology and agriculture, Lucy has been accepted into Wagga Wagga University to study Bachelor of Animal Science.
“My goals this year are to study hard, have a good routine, to manage my time and to have fun in the last year of school,” she said.
ORANGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Jacob Del Guzzo - Year 6 School Captain
Wanting to be a role model for younger students, Jacob Del Guzzo shares his leadership skills with the rest of the community.
“I like being a role model and responsible,” he said.
Lucy Metcalfe - Year 6 School Captain
During her captaincy, Lucy Metcalfe said she desired to grow in confidence throughout the year.
“My passions are to be kind to everyone,” she said.
Emily Meiring - Year 6 House Leader
Being a house captain for Shadrach, Emily Meiring said the role consists of weekly meetings, announcements and announcing house point updates.
“I decided to pursue this position because I want to help my school community out whenever I can,” Emily said.
“My goals are to lead the best I can and to serve the best I can.”
Atticus McGuire - Year 6 House Captain
Leading the house team Meshach, Atticus McGuire said he wants to “help kids” and “assist teachers”.
“I wanted to have a go at being a leader and seeing what it was like,” he said.
Azarleah Hausler - Year 6 House Captain
Wanting to “help around the school”, Azarleah Hausler’s goal is to be a leader.
“My goal for this year is to be the best leader I can be and to serve our school the best I can,” Azarleah said.
Eleanor Buchanan - Year 8 Student Leader
Eleanor Buchanan represents Year 7 and 8 students into contributing their ideas and ensuring youngers year voices are heard.
“Music is my number one passion, as well as helping others,” Eleanor said.
“My goals for this year are to ensure that Stage 4 [Year 7 and 8] are heard in our school and to help as many people come to faith as I can,” she said.
Matilda Pyle - Year 8 Student Leader
In hopes to “deepen” her relationship with god, Matilda Pyle wanted to showcase her leadership skills.
“My passions at school would definitely be food technology - it’s my favourite subject,” she said.
“My goals for this year are to make new friendships and to deepen my relationship with God.”
Ebony Cooke - Year 9 Student Leader
Year 9 student leader Ebony Cooke said her roles in leadership include planning socials, school events, leading assemblies and running devotions.
“I pursued this position because I wanted to become more confident in speaking in front of others and leading groups of people,” she said.
Ebony enjoys learning French and playing violin.
Paige Ngai - Secondary school senior Student Leader
As a school leader, Paig Ngai consistently steps out of her comfort zone to lead other students in the school.
“Working together as a team and communication not only while the whole student leadership team but also with senior student leaders is another quality that is involved with this position,” she said.
“Being a listening ear to someone for guiding others in times of need is what I think are good qualities to have.
“My passion at school is an interest in learning new things - art, English, history.
“My goals for this year are to do well for the HSC, to establish a good routine and manage my time well.”
Caitlin Baker - Secondary school Vice-Captain
Supporting the school captains, Caitlin Baker also represents to Year 12 student body through meetings and formal assemblies.
“I believe that both captain and vice-captain have great opportunities to speak up and have a strong voice in the school - to actually make a change rather than just suggesting one.
“I want to see more connection between younger and older students to strengthen the community feel of the school.
“I believe this helps everyone to feel that they have someone to rely on, someone to trust and helps them feel confident.”
Lucinda Grant - Secondary School Captain
Orange Christian School’s captain Lucinda Grant brings her knowledge and experience to lead younger students.
“I’m passionate about learning at the school and nurturing a fun and exciting environment,” she said.
“My goals are to lead a collaborative and enthusiastic student leadership team and to make a lasting impact through aspects such as a house points board and establishing different school activities.”
Philippa Parkinson - Year 11 Sports Captain
Organising her house, Philippa Parkinson runs house meetings, assists at sporting carnivals and supports each student.
“I decided to pursue this position as I wanted to be a supportive role model for my fellow peers and use my god given gift of leadership to serve him and others,” she said.
“My goal for this year is to stay head strong in my academics as well as leading in a way that honours God.”
Ryan Bravenboer - Year 11 Sports Captain
Stepping out of his comfort zone, Ryan Bravenboer wanted to take on leadership responsibilities to represent his school.
“I have a passion for sport and leadership and like working together and socialising with people,” Ryan said.
“My goal for this year is to know everybody in the school and to heard voices so that they have a chance to benefit the school.”
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