Bayside, Caulfield, Port Phillip school captains share hopes, dreams for future
They’re the next generation of leaders, but what do Melbourne’s school captains really have to offer the community? In one of our most ambitious projects ever, we’ve asked every Year 12 school captain: what difference can your generation make to the world?
Leader
Don't miss out on the headlines from Leader . Followed categories will be added to My News.
They’re the next generation of leaders, but what do Melbourne’s school captains really have to offer the community?
In one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by Leader Community News, we asked every Year 12 school captain in Melbourne: What difference can your generation make to the world?
The words below are their own and the responses — like the students themselves — are insightful.
They show hope, optimism and a real desire to make a difference, undaunted by the challenges ahead.
And they all show a maturity well beyond their years. Our future is in very good hands.
MORE:
FRANKSTON AND MORNINGTON PENINSULA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
GREATER DANDENONG AND KNOX SCHOOL CAPTAINS
BENTLEIGH SECONDARY COLLEGE
Sam Boontjes, 17 and Tuane De Klerk, 17
The difference our generation can make in this world is by working harder and help solve little problems in the world that could help impact the bigger issues.
To study and become entrepreneurs who go on to create work opportunities that will help to decrease poverty.
We want to be a positive influence on the world. People of our generation should learn from an early age to help those in need through voluntary work that inspires and encourages others to do the same, because if we all work and stand together, we can change the world.
We can change things by teaching the world to love and forgive, rather than hate and blame.
To show others kindness and compassion goes a long way. By doing so we can all unite and make a positive impact.
We can make a change by being more involved in the issues of today and to speak up as a generation and ensure our voices are heard.
As Nelson Mandela said, “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.”
BRIGHTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Noah McGrath, 17
The world has changed, so much, since my parents were my age.
New discoveries have been made, problems have been resolved, new issues continue to present themselves and we encounter daily obstacles that stand in the way of the world coming together and standing as one.
Reflecting on “What difference can your generation make to the world?” I instantly think of problems we face in society; poverty, food scarcity, environment, conflict, or unequal health care, all need to be resolved for the world to improve.
The first step to stamp our difference on the world, is to create and establish an inclusive society, where the differences we believe separate us, actually form the building blocks that unite us.
By embracing individual differences, and considering them as strengths we can learn to accept everybody and to embrace and value their individual characteristics; everyone has something special to offer. This is important because when different people come together with a common purpose and goal, great things can be achieved.
By harnessing this positive energy of inclusiveness we have the power to create a movement in the world that addresses the issues.
This way our generation can make a difference to the world we live in and the world of future generations.
BRIGHTON SECONDARY COLLEGE
Josh Mackie, 17 and Claudia Blakeley-Batty, 17
Generation Z or the ‘iGeneration’ that we belong to, will have many impacts on the world as it and we simultaneously grow and mature together.
Over the last 24 years since this generation came into existence, the children, teens and young adults have looked deeper into how we, as mankind, are slowly destroying the equality, acceptance and stigma of certain “controversial” topics.
Our generation has already found its own voice to speak up about the changes that need to be made, our generation is removing the genocide and inequality that other generations in the past may have created and our generation is protesting, rallying and coming together to fight the cruelty that some people face in their daily lives.
With issues about sexuality, refuging, depression and environmental destruction, our generation, no matter how small, is proving to try and make a difference for the safety and happiness of others around the world.
Our generation, Generation Z, will positively change the world with our loud and confident voices to stand up to those who want to bring others down.
CAULFIELD GRAMMAR SCHOOL, CAULFIELD CAMPUS
James Sampson, 17 and Isabel Tsintsiper, 17
According to Beyond Blue, one in seven young Australians experiences a mental health condition.
We live in a society where from a young age, children are feeling the gripping effects of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In a society where more teenage deaths are associated with suicides than car accidents, something must be done to rewrite our narrative, and take control of our own lives, before mental health issues have the opportunity to.
There is an undeniable correlation between our mental and physical health.
Whilst one usually associates health with physical ailments, such as colds and broken bones, we must realise that there is an unnecessary separation in the treatment of the mind and the body.
Our generation can be the frontrunners in destigmatising mental health issues, and reconnecting the mind and body, so that we learn to treat the mind the same way as we would a broken bone; with care, empathy, patience, understanding, proper treatment and rehabilitation.
Our generation can create a society where individuals are not disenfranchised due to their mental health issues, and that we all grow to understand that mental health is just another aspect of our health, and it deserves our attention.
MORE:
LILYDALE & YARRA VALLEY AND MAROONDAH SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MANNINGHAM AND WHITEHORSE SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MARIBYRNONG AND MOONEE VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS
ELWOOD COLLEGE
Sabrina Phillips Brash, 18
My vision for the future hypothesises the idea of a society where people put sustainable action that concerns others around them and future generations first.
A collective of people who push for progression and worry about the needs of others.
A government where people are not just concerned about being re-elected or dragging money out of environmental detriment. A population where people of all races, gender, religion and sexualities push for change and safety for each other.
It may not happen in my lifetime or the one after, but after slowly progressing bit by bit we can push to achieve an optimal society for all.
Hugo Radovanovic, 17
My generation will develop a global consciousness in regard to the importance of environmental preservation.
Already, people my age have shown significant initiative within the growing universal objective of protecting the vitality of the earth.
Young people are aware of the detrimental impact we as a species are having on the environment, and are determined to break the cycle of neglect and destruction that has been cemented into our culture through past generations. Worldwide school strikes, marches, rallies, online petitions, and social media movements indicate my generation’s drive to make our collective voices heard and preserve the world.
FIRBANK GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Mia Shepherd, 18 and Annabel Cox, 18
As a generation, we are not bound by the limitations of the past.
We enjoy the benefits brought to us by those who fought the battles that brought positive social change, who pushed the boundaries in areas of science, social constructs, the environment and more.
Their efforts and the access to information that we now have, have made us a generation of young people with high aspirations, inspired by the knowledge that we can actually make a difference.
We recognize that change is usually incremental; we will aim to take appropriate steps to achieve change, learning as we go.
Whether that means we can MAKE a difference on a local, national or even global scale, we know that a small, positive difference is better than no difference made at all.
It is our hope, that with the wonderful positions we have been afforded as leaders of our school, that we can inspire other people to make a difference. If we can affect even one person and make a positive difference in the life of that person, then we have succeeded.
GLEN EIRA COLLEGE
Sierra Danon, 18 and Sean Kelly, 17
Our generation will make a tremendous difference to the world by developing alternative technologies and methods to everyday living to not only improve the quality of our life, but the life of our planet as well.
There is no doubt that social equality has evolved positively, and will continue to develop for all future generations.
We shouldn’t be questioning ‘what we can do’, it is a matter of ‘how soon we can do it’.
Growing up in a world where technology is evolving at an exponential rate and worldwide communication is so easily accessible, the peers and cohort that we are learning alongside will have a new world to flourish within.
The internet allows for us to voice our opinions and get our ideas widespread in short periods of time. This can be used to promote new and innovative ideas to improve the quality of life for everyone around the globe.
Our generation, more so than any ever before, has the ability to impact a wide number of people through the use of technological advancements.
KILVINGTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Jack Kirkham, 17 and Elisabeth Yeo, 17
Change begins with empathy, a vision for a sustainable future, a profound sense of introspective awareness and a selfless desire to care for others.
As young people, a cursory glance at the world we live in can be discouraging, as we are often told of the rapidly changing climate and its negative environmental impacts. But we are the next generation; we are the ones who have the power to set the tone for a world that we would be proud to live in, a culture that will ensure the certainty of harmony and happiness.
Educating ourselves about prominent issues that will define our future is crucial; the preservation of our natural environment, the humane and compassionate treatment of asylum seekers and immigrants, a community that seeks to uplift and help members. We can all start with small steps, helping out around the local community, becoming involved in plastic free campaigns.
Changing our perspective on important issues, looking for differences that we can make to help change the status quo for the better in our local and global community. Our impact may seem small, but it is only through collective effort that we can establish real change in the future.
MORE:
MOORABBIN AND MORDIALLOC CHELSEA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MORELAND, NORTHCOTE, PRESTON AND HEIDELBERG SCHOOL CAPTAINS
PROGRESS AND STONNINGTON SCHOOL CAPTAINS
LEIBLER YAVNEH COLLEGE
Dahlia Paneth, 17 and Akiva Franks, 17
As repetitive, laborious work is being automated and computerised, our generation is shifting towards careers driven by passion and fulfilment.
Jobs are evolving so rapidly that its likely that the jobs our generation will be working don’t even exist yet.
This evolution is spurred by increased interest and pursuit of fields such as medicine and engineering.
With greater investment in these fields, technology and medicine are progressing at exponential rates.
Diseases previously incurable will be cured and current cures will become cheaper and therefore more accessible.
As our generation continues to develop these important fields, creating new innovations and making present resources more accessible, every person in entire world will be granted a greater quality of life.
We are taught in Jewish tradition, the concept of “Tikkun Olam,” the reparation of the world and it is a value that we hold dear, to improve the world for those alive today and for those that will be here in the future.
MCKINNON SECONDARY COLLEGE
Erika Phan, 17 and Xavier Verdnik, 17
Perhaps the true measure of a generation’s success is not how much they achieve, but for how long they continue striving to do better.
For us, the challenges posed by worsening climate change, unpredictable technology, and globalisation must be addressed without bias or prejudice, rather through open and rigorous debate. Undoubtedly, the challenges we face are not against each other, but against the time we have to make a difference.
Unlike previous generations, technology has given us the power to exist in two places at once, and with these new tools, come new responsibilities. This new-found strength lies within our ability to form connections with like-minded people all over the globe, allowing us to approach these concerns with perspective and awareness.
Ultimately, every generation ends their schooling with a promise, to do better than those before them and to leave better for those who come after. To fix the problems they inherited, and try their best to leave a legacy of success. In that sense, our opportunity is to bring an end to isolationist attitudes and operate as one nation to steer humanity towards a unified, more sustainable future.
OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART COLLEGE
Nickila De Silva, 17
I strongly believe that OLSH students are already making a difference in the world.
Our ethos includes touching the hearts of others and reverencing relationships and I see this happening day in and day out at our College.
Age should not, and does not, limit our ability to have a positive impact on the world.
From Year 7 onwards we are encouraged to help others.
Recently we raised over $13,000 for the OLSH Sisters in South Africa looking after orphans, visited the elderly at Baptcare, worked on the St Kilda food van and donated blankets and food hampers to St Vinnie’s. Winners of the cash prize in the $20 Boss competition donated it to charity and Year 9 girls fundraised to help a drought affected family in N.S.W.
Through the worldwide network of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Sisters, we are given incredible opportunities to work with communities in need and these are life-changing experiences for us.
We believe that each individual is capable of making a huge difference and this provides a great sense of hopefulness and optimism for the present and also for our shared future.
ST LEONARD’S COLLEGE
Helene Zhang, 16
I believe that the dynamism of my generation will allow us to tackle many of the social problems we face in society.
With the aid of technology, we have become one of the most interconnected generations ever, allowing us to spread awareness and interact on a global scale.
Already from a young age, many of us have become leaders and taken action in the areas that we are passionate about. There are an increasing number of young people becoming entrepreneurs and I believe that as a collective force, we can create new momentum into the future and overcome the inertia.
Gabriel Stripp, 18
The difference our generation can make to the world is by being better listeners. By aiming for consensus between ideas, opinions and thoughts we can achieve common goals that can benefit all of society. It is saddening that young people are currently so disillusioned by politics and our political atmosphere so being able to bridge consensus, in my view, is vital to reconnecting with different age groups. If we can listen to all possibilities, our goals that affect everyone can be achieved.
ST MICHAEL’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Sebastian Ganci, 17 and Sara Hassoun, 17
Our generation undoubtedly harbours the ability to facilitate positive change globally, and locally.
The change that our generation is capable of achieving will be a consequence of our inclusion and acceptance for people in the global community. We recognise that humanity’s differences must be celebrated and harnessed to create a world in which everyone’s uniqueness is embraced and free of prejudice.
By focusing on making a difference locally, we can achieve our ‘big picture’ goals, and promote change through creating the foundations for a global movement.
With improved mindsets, initiatives and a better platform than ever to spread knowledge, mobilising people to be involved in a worldwide movement is easier than ever.
Whilst our actions may seem small, effecting a few, they hold a long lasting impact, and form the small fragments of a larger puzzle.
Ultimately, we recognise that our future will be influenced by the choices we implement so we must be conscious that we do what is right for the generations to follow us.
We can learn from the previous mistakes that have hindered the development of a harmonious world whilst taking what worked, and moulding it into a better future for us all.
MORE:
HUME, SUNBURY AND MACEDON RANGES SCHOOL CAPTAINS
WHITTLESEA AND DIAMOND VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS
SHELFORD GIRLS’ GRAMMAR
Hannah Bonney-Gibson, 18 and Constance Kalfas, 17
As young people in such a busy world, it is often difficult to be heard.
For this reason, we are so grateful to have been given this opportunity, as there are many things that we would like to address together.
We feel that there are still harsh and negative connotations surrounding mental health, and something that we’d like to promote is the idea that it’s ok not to be ok, and that it’s ok to fail.
Failing is paramount on the pathway to achieving goals, and should be looked at only in that way, as it encourages resilience.
We believe this new generation of leaders has a unique opportunity to affect people. Our generation is social, visual, technological, but most of all, we are global. We are the most connected generation thus far, therefore, if we embrace the technological possibilities we are provided with, we have an opportunity to have a significant influence in the world.
The internet invites us to adopt a global perspective, and while many perceive it as something that promotes self-absorption, it can also enable us to see beyond ourselves.
Therefore, we can view areas for change within our own local society with respect to the larger global system.
STAR OF THE SEA COLLEGE
Charlotte Carson, 18 and Adele Nicolas, 17
Three hundred years ago it was illegal to operate a Catholic school. Nevertheless, a young woman named Nano Nagle risked imprisonment to secretly operate several.
Today, Star of the Sea College honours her courage, and the Presentation philosophy she inspired. Nano believed that schooling is the most important gift a child can receive because it can never be rescinded.
Education paves the way for financial and intellectual independence.
Modern schooling extends beyond the classroom as digital applications and social media educate and connect students. Yet social media can also disempower young people by focusing their attention on appearances, often contrived rather than genuine, and making them feel uncomfortable in their own skin.
This destructive aspect undermines some of the advances made through education.
It is up to our generation to change direction. As leaders of the first truly digital generation, we need to encourage our peers to consider what is behind and beyond their screens. The challenge is to shift the focus from shallow social media celebrities concerned with the skin-deep, to individuals who model depth of character and the benefits of a well-rounded education.
The legacy will be a generation which celebrates individuality rather than conformity. We believe such a shift would benefit young people’s wellbeing enormously.
WESLEY COLLEGE, ST KILDA ROAD CAMPUS
Maggie Omond, 17 and Charlie Dean, 17
Embracing change, celebrating differences and being aware of the effects of our actions are three promising attributes our generation beholds for the future.
When we look at the youth of today, there are people changing our world from many different backgrounds. We understand that the value of a person and their ability to change the world is defined by who they are, rather than where they come from.
There has never been a generation that is better equipped with the resources, technology and knowledge to help shape and improve the future.
We understand the mistakes we have made in the past, and continue to make changes for the betterment of current and future generations.
We are conscious of the impact that our actions have on our earth and are more environmentally aware than ever.
We know the importance of collaboration through building relationships and connections with people across the globe, and that in order for true change to occur, it must be a collective effort.