School leaders from Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey speak about their role, aspirations as students
As another school year rolls on, young leaders from across the Mid-North Coast have shared aspirations and what they enjoy about their role. Here’s what they had to say.
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As another school year rolls on, young leaders from across the Mid-North Coast are working to motivate their fellow students, with an unwavering passion for learning.
Talented kids from across our region have shared what they hope to achieve as leaders this year and their passions at school.
Lake Cathie Public School
Kai Colgin, year 6 school captain
“I am school captain and it involves assemblies, putting up flags and captains’ reports and acknowledgment to country,” Kai said.
“The people who tried out made a speech on why they should be elected and whoever got the most votes would be elected.
“I wanted to have a go and be a great leader and be a role model for our school.
“I like sport and maths and my goal for this year is to do something to improve the school. And nother goal I have is to make it past state in long jump.”
Charlotte Drury, year 6 captain
“The position involves lots of jobs, including putting up the flags, writing speeches and helping younger students and anyone that needs it,” Charlotte said.
“To get to this position we had to write a speech and present it to the year. We voted on who would make it through and then we presented to the whole school.
“The whole school took a vote and the top four girls and top four boys made it through to the leadership team.
“I decided to run for captain because I wanted to help and make a difference to our school. I felt like I would just try and see how I went and I was surprised by what I’d achieved.
“I love to play sport and play a lot of music.
“This year I hope to make our amazing school an even better place than it is today.
“My goal is to make everyone feel welcome and safe and that they belong.”
St Joseph’s Primary School Wingham
Ella Housen-Helmer, year 6 leader
“I am a year 6 school leader. Part of my role includes helping around the school, being a year 6 buddy, helping to take care of our school environment, equipment, and leading assemblies,” Ella said.
“As part of year 6 we can step up into our duties of leadership in the school. Our school is an amazing place that lets all year 6 students be leaders.
“I like all the opportunities that I get to take on as a school leader. It lets me grow my mind and skills as a leader.
“My passions are playing games with classmates, learning from the teachers, and playing with my buddy and her friends.
“Art is my favourite thing to do at school. My goal is to continue to develop my leadership skills.”
Kohen Mortensen, year 6 leader
“I am a year 6 leader. My position as a leader involves taking care of the sport shed and sports equipment, serving in the canteen, organising school assemblies and helping in any way I can around the school,” Kohen said.
“It is a year 6 responsibility that everyone gets, so they get the chance to be a sensible leader.
“I like being able to have the opportunity to give service to the school and help people around the school. I like being able to organise activities that are exciting and fun for our school.
“I like helping and watching my kindergarten buddy improve, grow, and learn and watch him shine and share his knowledge as the school year passes along.”
Riley Knoke, year 6 leader
“My position is a year 6 student leader. I help around the school by doing jobs and being a role model to younger children. Some jobs involve taking the bins out, helping hand out equipment at lunch and recess,” Riley said.
“I earnt this position by showing I was responsible enough to be a leader. Every year 6 student at St Joseph’s Wingham is a leader because we feel like everyone deserves the chance to show and develop their leadership skills.
“I like how I am a role model to the younger children and how they look up to me as a role model. I like having class jobs and responsibilities around the school.
“My goal for his year is to help make the school be a better place by showing the children how to act on the playground.
“My passion is to be a nice friend and classmate and by being always kind.”
Charlie Crittenden, year 6 leader
“I am a year 6 student leader. My position as a leader is to help with jobs like doing sport shed once a week and helping set up the soccer goals. I also have a kindergarten buddy to look after and help when they feel lost or sad,” Charlie said.
“All year 6 students have the responsibility of being a student leader and get the chance to build their responsibility and leadership skills.
“I like being a school leader at St Joseph’s Wingham because it is a good responsibility because you must turn up to your jobs and although some of the jobs are during the breaks it is good to do them to help the school and teachers.
“My passion at school is maths. Maths at St Joseph’s is challenging, and we have many opportunities to test our maths skills and knowledge.”
Newman Senior Technical College Port Macquarie
Molly Partington, year 12, college captain
“As a student in year 11, I was consistent and committed to my schooling. I developed a good relationship with the teachers and staff,” Molly said.
“I was encouraged by my teachers to apply for the SRC (student representative council) and I thought this would be a good opportunity to be more involved in the school community.
“I thought that being on the SRC would be a great opportunity to be a positive role model and help lead others.
“I am a committed and organised student that is capable of carrying out tasks both independently and as part of a team.
“I am also a patient and understanding person who is willing to listen to others and acknowledge their ideas. I feel as though these qualities have helped me to be elected as college captain.
“I felt excited to be elected. I was grateful to know that so many of my teachers and peers supported me and wanted me as their leader.
“My main focus for this year is to be involved in all school events and to be a positive role model for all other students.
“I am most looking forward to having the opportunity to be involved in school and community events. I also look forward to completing year 12 and starting a new chapter.”
Jack Alchin, year 12, college captain
“It was mainly the encouragement I received from my teachers and peers (that made me put my hand up as a leader),” Jack said.
“I also knew I liked being a leader as I am currently the captain of most of my club and representative sporting teams. I thrive on leading them so I thought why not do the same at school.
“I am an experienced leader, who leads from the front. I feel I’m a very approachable person who is well-known around the school community, having previous connections with students inside and outside of school.
“I feel I am a leader that leads by example and loves helping others.
“I felt privileged and honoured to be elected by my peers to represent them as a year group.
“My main goal this year is to complete my HSC and to be involved in as many school events as possible and represent the College with pride.
“I am looking forward to seeing how far we come as a whole year group and being involved in many community and school events. I am also looking forward to graduating and seeing where everyone will be off to in the near future.”
Kempsey High School
Raymond Cooper, year 9 school leader
“I am a proud Dunghutti man and a member of the Clontarf Academy and Junior AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group) at Kempsey High School,” Raymond said.
“I am the vice-president of the Junior AECG for 2023. As vice-president I support the president and step in when they are away.
“I give my advice and opinions and help to make decisions about how our group can best support the Aboriginal students and our community.
“I attend meetings and volunteer at local school and community events. I strive to be a positive role model and help others. I am friendly and support those around me.
“I was nominated and elected by the Junior AECG, I was voted in by peers because they know I am trustworthy, helpful and respectful of my elders.
“I take every opportunity given to me and try to help advocate for positive change. I wanted to serve in this position so I could continue to help others and my elders.
“My passions include art, sports and cooking. My goals include finishing year 12 and continuing to serve my community.”
Tanayah Vale, year 9 school leader
“I am a proud Dunghutti woman and a member of NASCA and the Junior AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group),” Tanayah said.
“I am currently serving as the Junior AECG President for 2023, I am the youngest person to be elected into this role at Kempsey High. This role involves holding weekly meetings, planning and volunteering at events and representing the school.
“I speak at assemblies to give the acknowledgement of country and am learning more Dunghutti language. I was encouraged to pursue the position of president from my mentors and elders at Kempsey High.
“I was nominated and elected by the other members of the Junior AECG. I am a confident person and a strong public speaker.
“I am always the first person to put my hand up to help others and to volunteer at events. I am a proud Aboriginal woman and felt I was ready to take on the role.
“I am always thinking about how we can improve things in our school and community and advocate for change.
“I am inquisitive, determined and hard working. My passions include sports, representing my culture through art and dance and being a role model. I want to continue to represent my culture and give a voice to Aboriginal students.
“I want the Aboriginal students to know that they’re not alone and that they belong at school.”
Evan Orgill, year 12, school captain
“I am the school captain and a sports house captain at Kempsey High School,” Evan said.
“This involves representing the school, and with that, setting an example, both in and out of school grounds, such as at sporting carnivals.
“I attend Student Representative Council meetings, speak at assemblies, and assist with fundraisers, events and sporting carnivals.
“For both positions I was elected by my peers, however to earn school captain, I had to gain a staff member’s recommendation and the principal’s approval.
“I then presented a speech at a whole school assembly and all students and staff voted. I am known in the school for being caring, hardworking and determined.
“Pursuing these positions meant I could set an example for the students in the younger years, and also work through the Student Representative Council to try and make the school a better place before my term ends.
“I strive to be inclusive and supportive to my fellow students. I am also aiming to achieve dux of year 12 and attain an ATAR for university.”
Ellie Prior, year 12, school captain
“I am the school captain of Kempsey High. Having this role has provided me with many opportunities and has opened up plenty of pathways,” Ellie said.
“It involves representing the student body, letting people’s voices be heard and always striving to be an active listener.
“I was elected by the votes of my peers as well as school staff.
“I am known in the school community for being open minded, passionate, respectful, polite and hard working.
“I have represented my school in many ways as I strive to get involved in all opportunities presented to me. This has included cattle shows, Anzac Day marches, assemblies and community events.
“I decided to pursue this position because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn new skills.
“I want to continue to be a role model and build connection with my community.
“As captain, my goals are to build a safe environment for all students, encourage and promote school pride, ensure students feel a sense of belonging, improve school culture and advocacy, promote a love of learning and celebrate successes of all students.”
Wingham High School
Jaimee-Lee Woolfe, year 12, school vice-captain
“I am the school vice-captain. This role involves assisting the captains with official duties and greeting official guests,” Jaimee-Lee said.
“I attend and speak at assemblies and ceremonies, as well as contribute to the school’s SRC and act as a positive role model for the students within our school.
“My position was elected. The election involved creating a speech, which was filmed and presented in front of the students and teachers, who then went on to vote for a suitable candidate.
“I have been involved in many school and community events and one of my teachers recommended me as a natural leader and encouraged me to put my hand up for election.
“At school I am passionate about sport and agriculture.
“I am fortunate to have some really great resources at school to support me and my passions. “Some goals I have for the year are to complete year 12 to a high standard to achieve my chosen career and leave a positive impact on the school from my time in this position.”
Breanna Colvin, year 11, student representative council member
“I am a senior SRC member and I am usually a student that supports our leaders behind the scenes. In their absence I gravitate into a more senior role within SRC,” Breanna said.
“I don’t really think I earnt it. It was more an expectation as a senior student to take on a more senior role to alleviate the year 12 students’ stress.
“I was never the most confident person when I was younger, so when I gained that confidence I wanted to put it to good use.
“I want to be a role model for younger peers and having this role gives me a good platform.
“Drama and modern history are my favourite subjects, but they also help me on SRC.
“I am passionate about supporting younger students.
“My goals for this year are to improve the school grounds and bring back some pre-Covid fun.”
Nambucca Heads High School
Jemma Wilson, school captain
I am school captain. I lead assemblies and meet with a staff co-ordinator to convey what students are feeling and wanting at the school,” Jemma said.
“We were elected by the students and staff. Before voting, we had to make a speech presenting my ideas of how I could best serve the interest of the students.
“I decided to take on the challenge to represent the student voice within the school and the community, and to organise events within the school in the interest of student needs.
“I enjoy playing sport and promoting and supporting sporting activities in the school community.
“I am hoping to gain my HSC this year, but beyond that my goals are to encourage young people to be active in their community and contribute positively.”
Aeshra David, school captain
“I am one of the 2023 school captains at Nambucca Heads High School. This position involves being a role model to others, but most importantly forming a connection between staff and students so the adults of tomorrow are heard,” Aeshra said.
“Fortnightly, captains, vice captains and anyone who would like to be a part of the welfare of the school gathers to discuss missions to help make school more enjoyable.
“Some examples include a social (dance) to encourage good behaviour and increase morale, cake stalls for fundraising and sporting events that allow students to be involved in team activities.
“I was elected as school captain by popular vote and this involved me talking directly to the students about my goals, passions and the change I wanted to evoke in the school.
“My main goal is to help students feel safer and more comfortable at school, making it an enjoyable space that isn’t seen as a chore.
“My passions are painting, and biology and I hope to secure a job in the future in one of these areas (hopefully biology).
“I ultimately pursued this position because of the opportunities. I wanted to learn more about leadership and support students that didn’t have the courage to speak up.”
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