Liverpool Girls’ High School: Supreme Court judge Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson inspires next generation

A Supreme Court judge has credited her public school education to her success during an inspiring address to students ahead of International Women’s Day.

ACT Supreme Court Judge Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson addressed the legal studies classes at her former school, Liverpool Girls’ High.

A Liverpool Girls’ High alumni turned Supreme Court judge has called for more trailblazers from southwest Sydney to become the next generation of leaders.

ACT Supreme Court Judge Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson spoke at her former school on the eve of International Women’s Day to inspire future lawyers from year 11 and 12 legal studies classes.

Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson was dux of the school in 1978 and was appointed resident Justice of the ACT Supreme Court in 2018.

“I had some truly great teachers in maths, English and ancient history,” Ms Loukas-Karlsson said.

“Teachers that were so committed to their craft and they made a great impression on me.”

ACT Supreme Court Judge Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson spoke at her former school, Liverpool Girls’ High.

Ms Loukas-Karlsson spent her career as an award-winning solicitor and barrister before becoming a Supreme Court judge, including serving as counsel in the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague from 2003-2006.

“I have always had a keen sense of what is right and wrong, and what’s fair and unfair, and that fuelled my interest in human rights,” she said.

“To be a good judge, you need to have a good IQ and EQ (emotional intelligence) and you need to understand people from many different walks of life.”

Liverpool Girls’ High alumni Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson at her former school.

Ms Loukas-Karlsson is also a strong advocate for public education which she says gave her “broader exposure to people” and made her “a better judge.”

In year 11 she was offered a position at the selective St George Girls’ High School but turned it down to continue her studies at Liverpool Girls and has “no regrets” about her decision.

“I’m a great believer in public education and I often have conversations about this to my colleague (former High Court Justice and Fort Street High school alumni) Michael Kirby, who is also a passionate advocate for public education,” she said.

When speaking to this publication, she emphasised the importance of having more people from places such as Liverpool in positions of power to enable more insightful leadership in society.

Chrissa Loukas-Karlsson fields questions from students.

“A society that has a narrow cohort of people who are making decisions may lead to narrow decision making,” she said.

In her address to the legal studies students at Liverpool Girls’ and Boys’ high schools, Ms Loukas-Karlsson encouraged them to push beyond their comfort zone and to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.

“Be the best version of you so you can take your place in positions of influence in our society,” she said.

“Back yourself by working hard and remember that everyone experiences insecurity.”