Eastern suburbs’ school leaders share their vision for 2021
Student leaders and captains from several eastern suburbs schools have revealed how they hope to make a positive difference at their school for the year ahead.
Wentworth Courier
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Student leaders and captains from several eastern suburbs schools have revealed how they hope to make a positive difference at their school for the year ahead.
SCEGGS Darlinghurst
Abby Burge, Head Prefect and Mia Freeland, Deputy Head Prefect
The crux of being a school leader is not to be someone who positions themself higher than others; it is to be someone who is present in the everyday lives of their peers, to voice other people’s concerns, to stand up against something that they believe is wrong, even if that means going against the popular vote, but most importantly they should encourage and lead individuals to be the best version of themselves. We believe that too often young women can feel pressured by external norms, trying to mould themselves into a person who ‘fits in’.
At SCEGGS we want to ensure a strong sense of community and acceptance for every individual, where people can embrace what makes them, them.
As the backbone for this we developed our theme for the year ‘You’re the 1 in 2021’. We hope that this will position girls to reflect on the unique traits that make each of them an individual. In 2021, we want students to find joy and celebrate their individuality and we will be embedding this theme into everything we do throughout the course of the year.
We also acknowledge that it can be difficult to figure out who you are at such a young age. Because of the status quo, many students feel unable to think more deeply about themselves as a person, outside of the norms and expectations. Therefore, we are encouraging students to try new things, allowing them to develop interests and inspire a wider involvement in school life.
Our first event was ‘10 days of trying new things’, giving girls the opportunity to be involved in a range of activities from sports, to painting, and even TikTok dancing! We hoped this would encourage girls to step outside their comfort zone, and maybe find something that they’re really passionate about!
St Clare’s College, Waverley
Grace Baker, College Captain
Topic: Creating a legacy/growth
This year, in collaboration with my peers, it is my goal to create a legacy of strong, intelligent and inspirational young women that will be remembered for years to come. I am so passionate about showing our girls the importance of growth and self development as I believe this is what shapes us and teaches us some of life’s most valuable lessons. I will strive to continuously encourage our community to recognise their own growth, whether it is academically, spiritually or mentally and how this growth plays such an important role in the foundation for the rest of their lives. I know that this year, as young women of St Clare’s we will achieve amazing things, and it is my honour to be leading our school for 2021.
Hannah Simos, College Vice-Captain
Topic: Social connectedness, community, wellbeing
This year, we hope to achieve a greater sense of unity and social connectedness throughout the entire school to create a community that further supports each other, inspires change and encourages growth. All students are at different points in their journey and development, so our common goal is enhancing wellbeing and creating a healthy and supportive environment. We are a school that provides a great deal of support and encouragement, so our vision aims to build on the positive environment that has been formed and inspire others to be the best they can be.
Ayla Riza, College Vice-Captain
Topic: Student potential
One of our biggest goals in leadership is to ensure all students reach and fulfil their unique potential. There are so many unrecognised talents and strengths within all students, which we hope will be developed throughout the year under our collective leadership. We aim to develop a range of initiatives that provide an opportunity for individuals to discover a sense of self and confidence in their abilities. We hope to inspire success whilst providing support and guidance, helping to build a community of strength and integrity.
Kate O’Sullivan, College Vice Captain
Topic: Power of small actions to have a large impact/faith
Now more than ever, we need to spread kindness and compassion, to be a pillar of support, and a source of empowerment at St Clare’s College. This is something that I believe can be achieved through small, everyday actions. Faith is a core part of my leadership vision, as I hope to empower the young women of St Clare’s to have faith in the potential of these small actions, as they will undoubtedly make 2021 a year of positive change.
Kambala School, Rose Bay
Kambala School Prefects: Belle Whitehouse (Head Prefect), Jessica Friderich (Deputy Head Prefect), Arabella Munro (Head Boarder) and Isabella Pursehouse (Deputy Head Boarder):
1. What is your vision for 2021 and what does it mean for you and for the Kambala community?
After a tumultuous 2020, the Class of 2021 agreed that—regardless of the constantly changing world we live in—we will ‘Aspire to Inspire’ our fellow students and the broader Kambala community. Our goal is to inspire Kambala girls to be nimble and resilient, regardless of disappointments that happen along the way. Whether that’s the cancellation of a favourite choral item or sporting event, we are confident that with grit and good humour, we can teach the girls to overcome challenges. Motivation and encouragement are the essence of our motto as we continue to connect with all year groups and help each girl navigate the Senior School experience. Ultimately, as a community, we aspire to be kind, considerate and the best version of ourselves.
2. What do you hope to achieve in your final year of school?
In our final year of school, we hope to strengthen the bonds within our year group and throughout the younger years. As young women, we understand the importance of prompting change within our own community which we have encapsulated in our motto, ‘Aspire to Inspire’. Specific to the Kambala community, we hope to champion student wellbeing; encourage the Arts through Drama, Debating and VADT; illuminate the importance of women in STEM; increase Sport participation; highlight our exceptional Music students; improve our environmental sustainability; provide assistance and support to the wider community via the St Nicholas Academy in Ghana, the Red Shield Appeal and Rough Edges; and raise awareness of post-drought recovery and rural mental health.
3. What do you hope to inspire others to do beyond 2021?
We hope to inspire girls to strive to be the type of people who will inspire younger generations of Kambala girls. Connection is a key goal for the Class of 2021, with an emphasis on establishing strong connections in order to forge bonds that last beyond our time at Kambala. Throughout our Senior years, we have encountered challenges and obstacles and learned how to remain resilient, motivated and optimistic. We hope to inspire others to achieve their goals, despite setbacks or challenges they may face.
4. What message would you like to leave the School with once you graduate?
As we prepare to graduate from Kambala, the 2021 cohort aims to instil and inaugurate a community that focuses on connection and the relationship between year groups.
Kambala’s ability to preserve an environment of academic excellence throughout the pandemic taught us the importance of protecting and strengthening valuable relationships with fellow students, teachers, families, Old Girls and the wider School community, to maintain a united school culture. As a year group, we plan to leave a legacy that inspires and motivates future School Leaders to continue to foster and strengthen bonds schoolwide. We hope for younger generations of Kambala girls to immerse themselves in the wondrous opportunities on offer, to flourish and to realise their full potential.
Reddam House, Bondi
Students leaders Innes Gibson, Avital Gottheiner and Cem Kozanoglu:
We have four main areas of focus at Reddam this year – Social justice, female empowerment, student wellbeing and charity.
●Social justice
There has been so much in the news lately about terrible things happening overseas. From Myanmar to the Uyghurs to what’s happening in Hong Kong. This year, we’re aiming to arrange guest speakers to address the students on various issues and current events so they’re informed and can take action if they feel strongly.
●Female empowerment and equality
The news about alleged sexual assault in parliament has been shocking and of course the petition started by Chanel Contos is relevant to everyone at Reddam. We think cultural change is everyone’s responsibility and we want to make sure these issues are thoughtfully considered by the students.
We’re also aiming to team up with past Reddam students who are now at the University of NSW to encourage more of our female students to get involved in STEM subjects.
●Charity
We’re affiliated with Malkerns Valley Primary School in Eswatini in Southern Africa. We’ve already held a Valentine’s Day drive, stationery drive and a basketball competition to support and raise funds for the school. We’re aiming to run several more events throughout the year.
●Student wellbeing
With all the pressure of school life, we also have a focus on trying to make things less stressful for students. This year we’re aiming to implement meditation classes and a student support system during exam periods. We’re also looking at trialling a note-sharing system so students can share their work and learn from each other in a collaborative way.
Inner Sydney High School, Surry Hills
At Inner Sydney High School, the Student Inspired Leadership Group (SILG) functions as a committee, with everyone having the opportunity to join and have a say. As foundation students in 2020, we worked on a number of initiatives which have helped to shape our values and our vision for 2021. These initiatives included, Homelessness Prevention week which raised over $1000 for local charities. We also hosted a Movember Walkathon where students completed laps of the local park and raised over $2000 for the Movember charity. Given the difficulties that faced many people in 2020, we had a big focus on student wellbeing by hosting a Kindness Week. During this week, the leaders were involved in creating random acts of kindness. This was followed by a Wellbeing Day which was a great way for students to engage in numerous different activities which dived deep into the importance of keeping your mental health stable and socialising with others in a positive way.
In 2021, the Student Inspired Leadership Group plan on working on a variety of unique activities based around our four portfolios of wellbeing, social justice, sport and arts and sustainability. We think it is important to create a school that values and celebrates diversity. We will host events which highlight the injustices in the world and fight for social inclusion. Such as, International Women’s Day, Wear It Purple Day, Homelessness Prevention and NAIDOC Week celebrations. As student leaders we think it is important to focus on the wellbeing of young people. This year, we intend to run a number of events which highlight the importance of good mental health and positive relationships. Our final goal is to make the school a fun and accepting environment where all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Rose Bay Secondary College, Rose Bay
Our names are Hattie Shand and Hordur Zoega and we are the Rose Bay Secondary College
Captains for 2021.
As students of the public education system and as both mainstream and
selective students, we can attest to the strong sense of camaraderie and dedication that is present within our wonderful school.
Throughout our schooling experience we have seen the best that public education has to offer and have experienced its ability to meet the needs of all students no matter who they are or where they come from.
Our vision for 2021 is to instil within our own school, but also within the wider Wentworth community, a sense of pride in the public education system and its ability to encompass the diversity of the eastern suburbs while simultaneously maintaining excellent academic results and school spirit.
This is a wider vision that is not only adopted by ourselves but by the whole Rose Bay community. Through internal initiatives that aim to showcase the talent, intellectualism and diversity of Rose Bay, we aim to promote and further a wider appreciation for public education and its value as we move into a future of change - a future that comes with an increased awareness of issues of equity within the education system.
Through an equity favoured lens, we envision to promote the value of equality and excellence across not only our own school community but also across the wider educational system whether that be in the form of funding or accessibility.
As college leaders we believe that there is simply no better place to instil values of equality than a school that is grounded in the very idea that everyone is welcome. As former High Court Judge and public school student Michael Kirby points out “there is something special about public education. It is a microcosm of the diversity of Australia. This is the laboratory of the entire nation. No discrimination against individuals or groups.”
It is this very
mantra that we are so intent upon communicating to not only our own students and school
community but to the wider audience of the Eastern suburbs, advocating for a school that has
made us who we are, and for a system that has allowed it to do so.
Matraville Sports High School, Chifley
Zoe Cass - School Captain
I am feeling more optimistic about the opportunities that we will be able to access in 2021. As a school leader, my vision for this year is to put in the extra efforts to create a more welcoming environment and school community for all students.
I am looking forward to normal school events recommencing - carnivals, excursions, school formals and even learning opportunities such as guest speakers and workshops.
Our school continues to evolve over the years - the focus has shifted towards a more balanced approach towards both academics and sport. Our UNSW partnership continues to provide enriching opportunities such as tutoring and afterschool music programs, making it accessible for Matraville students to learn an instrument in a relaxed environment. I want to make sure every student is aware of the opportunities the school provides and takes advantage of them.
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