Whittlesea, Diamond Valley 2020 school captains share hopes, dreams for the future
They’re often thought of as selfie-taking show-offs — but our next crop of leaders are anything but. We asked Melbourne’s Year 12 school captains what difference they can make to the world. Here’s what Whittlesea and Diamond Valley’s have to offer.
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Change is inevitable — but what kind of world do our next generation of young leaders want to live in, and how will they play a role in making it happen?
In our second annual special report on Tomorrow’s Leaders, we asked school captains across the length and breadth of metropolitan Melbourne: What action will you take to make a difference in your community?
Captains of 216 schools responded, and the thought provoking and inspiring words of those from our local schools are published here.
A representative group of 26 of these young leaders, featured on the front cover of every local special print edition, gathered with us at State Parliament recently to extrapolate on their thoughts, and meet Premier Dan Andrews, who took the time to offer them some encouraging words to forge their own path as they prepare to take on the world.
One of the most inspiring observations from this gathering was how easily these confident young people networked with each other, despite never having met.
It reminds us great leaders are also great communicators.
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NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, BUNDOORA
Shemara Karunaratne, 17
Despite the impossibility of attaining a perfect community, taking steps towards this goal are still important. Part of our contribution to the community will be in the form of raising money for critical issues by running fun events like Football Colours Day.
The promotion of healthy lifestyles will also take place through the Ride2School challenge where primaries will be encouraged to ride their bikes to school.
I also recognise that the nature of communities, although shaped by those in power, ultimately depend on future generations for what they will become.
As the captain of Northside Christian College, I hold it as a priority to build a supportive environment where students feel a sense of belonging and are able to develop character, morals and excellence in their unique skills.
To do this, we will promote opportunities where students can recognise their identity and worth, and are encouraged to act with kindness and love.
By empowering this kind of culture within the confines of our school community, students will be able to bring these values with them when they one day become the future community.
LOYOLA COLLEGE, WATSONIA
Mary Tomasiello, 17 and Harrison Fell, 17
In 2020, Harrison and I, alongside the Loyola College committee, will be following St Ignatius in the actions we take to improve the community.
We will strive to make a difference in our community by encouraging and inspiring the students to participate in the co-curriculum programs offered at the school, such as refugee tutoring, Concord support and the sustainability club, that seek to improve our society.
Furthermore, through a new initiative at Loyola, student leaders will part take in a service portfolio investigating aspects such as social justice, wellbeing and sustainability.
The student leaders have already discussed celebrating NAIDOC week as a means of recognising the Aboriginal culture within our community.
A main goal of our student leadership committee is to increase student voice.
Hearing from the students in our school ultimately reflects the needs and desires of other adolescents in our community and therefore we will be able to take action to fulfil the wishes of our community.
Finally, in 2020 we believe we can make a difference in our community by inspiring the future leaders of the college so they may carry on our legacy and ensure any actions and changes made will continue after we have finished school.
WHITTLESEA SECONDARY COLLEGE
Morgan Gandolfo, 17 and Heath Sanderson, 17
The world is ever-changing. This can be difficult to manage.
It is because of this that the importance of a good leader has risen exponentially in the past few years.
A good leader is someone who needs to be confident and willing to do what is necessary for all of those that rely on them to lead.
These leaders of the future are to be the examples for those that are growing up in our society, so it is pivotal that we as leaders do what it necessary for the greater good.
Social media is the most important tool in this day and age and using it to spread positive messages and using it for effective communication is essential to making a difference.
Money is a constraint for many people and as more technology becomes available prices sky rocket.
In a perfect world however the technology that we now have available can be used to dramatic effect to make quality of life in this world we live in the best it can be.
Being the best leader and a good role model, using social media in the most effective way, and using the technology available to us is the best way to institute change and make a difference.
EPPING SECONDARY COLLEGE
Natalie Carroll, 17 and Victoria Conforto, 17
Our community is a place that expects change.
The world is constantly changing and we need to make sure we are responding effectively to these changes.
One of the biggest things that defines our generation is social media and how it has a positive effect on today’s teenagers.
One of the most optimistic driven experiences in social media is the way the world has learnt to communicate with each other.
Through the constantly updating nature of technology, we as a community can use several clicks on a keyboard to develop new ways to understand politics, economics, current events and overall the world around us.
In terms of a smaller scale, we intend to use various social media platforms to benefit the education of our peers and ourselves.
For the class of 2020 at our school, we have conducted a Facebook page based on gaining the best access to resources for our education and wellbeing.
With the assistance of our teachers, we are able to view school news, different study methods that will support us in achieving our best, and connect with other students. Our future depends on making good connections with the people around us, and knowing how to stay healthy, happy and safe.
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LALOR SECONDARY COLLEGE
Lachlan Angelovski, 17 and Nour Maqsodi, 17
How many of you feel like you are struggling with mental health? I’m not surprised, this is a chronic issue that plagues young people daily. Teenagers suffer in silence, too afraid to express their feelings, particularly young men. Reasons for this include a multitude of factors such as technology, family issues and social problems. I aim to work as leader to connect our schools and other youth services in the municipality. Greater collaboration will help us to slowly nullify this issue. I will encourage more community partnerships to explore running awareness sessions to meet the needs of young people in the area.
— Lachlan Angelovski
No matter how insignificant your efforts may seem to make a difference, they have to have the potential for lasting effect. I believe in making a difference in this world, whether by simply showing love or attending a global climate strike. Every effort counts. My biggest goal in life is to become a doctor and work in Afghanistan. I want to treat every patient regardless of their ability to pay, to ensure that they have access to proper medical treatment to continue living their life. A person’s smile can be the product of making a difference but to me it means the whole world.
— Nour Maqsodi
MARYMEDE CATHOLIC COLLEGE, SOUTH MORANG
Ann Anil, 17 and Dimitrios Bachos, 17
When we think about the word “health”, most of us immediately think of physical health. An issue that is plaguing our society however, is the recent epidemic of mental health problems faced by young people in our communities.
Social media platforms, despite being a phenomenal resource for learning and communication, have contributed heavily towards this issue.
Young people are growing up in a society where they are torn between the pressure of being their genuine self or putting on a popularity-fuelled facade.
Despite all the newly available communication tools, people nowadays are less open to coming forth with things that trouble them out of fear of judgment and not living up to unrealistic expectations.
As leaders at Marymede, we are focusing on improving the effectiveness of relevant mental health programs. It is our goal to introduce innovative and holistic approaches that result in a community-wide movement that empowers young people to help others and to seek help when needed.
The result would be a generation that embraces unity and diversity; a generation that embraces our 2020 college theme: “That you love one another. Just as I have loved you” (John 1 3:34).
MILL PARK SECONDARY COLLEGE, EPPING
Felix Werner, 17 and Tharshika Srikamalanathan, 17
As school captains, we believe a vision for our community is the first step to making a real difference.
To make a memorable change, we must gain the trust of our community. Often the most memorable leaders in the world are the ones who challenge the status quo.
They are able to voice their opinions in a powerful manner and bring a sense of confidence to their community. This is exactly what we aspire to do every day, to be truthful and positive leaders.
We want to encourage more leaders to step outside their comfort zones.
Sometimes the smallest actions bring the biggest changes.
To make our community a better place, we need individuals who are willing to help and respect others regardless of their differences.
When applying for this position, we wanted to introduce community based activities.
These activities would be organised by students from younger year levels. In this manner, they will continue developing their leadership skills as well as strengthen the relationship between our school and the community. In addition to this, we want to motivate individuals to find their inner leadership qualities and excel as individuals.
Our community is enhanced when young leaders take a stand for what is right
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IVANHOE GRAMMAR SCHOOL – PLENTY CAMPUS
Ethan Clare, 17 and Vaida Mancino, 18
In a world where climate change is omnipresent, our generation now has a greater responsibility than ever to take action in order to preserve the world we know today.
In a time where technology and social interconnectedness are playing a bigger role in our lives, it is important that we as a society make use of our resources to educate our communities to increase awareness surrounding this global issue.
As an initial step towards positive change, Ivanhoe Grammar School’s Plenty campus has been working towards generating clean energy, through the use of solar panels, and becoming more efficient with our consumption allowing to lower our energy usage and carbon footprint as a school.
In addition we are committed to encouraging our community to improve environmental sustainability through recycling and reducing our waste production. Later this year, our school will be co-hosting the International Round Square Conference where hundreds of like-minded students from different schools around the world, will come together to discuss and develop ideas and initiatives to work towards a more sustainable global community.
We are excited for the opportunity to take real action against the effects of climate change, while also inspiring change in our greater community.
AL SIRAAT COLLEGE, EPPING
Balaj Elahi, 17
The change I would like to bring resides with everyone in every way.
This generation of ours has a tremendous amount to offer and a great deal of potential, which should be guided into improving what everyone uses to connect, communicate and spread messages nowadays is social media.
To be more specific, the social media platforms are only going to grow — from the amount of different platforms to the amount of users but that is acceptable as we are entering the world of advanced technology.
However the immerged content within these platforms shouldn’t be spreading twisted, negative ideas and messages to individuals of all ages, rather these platforms should be used to promote positive and meaningful concepts and provide authentic pieces of information.
I believe that if we work collectively, we can bring change and after all “you must organise the change you wish to see in the world”.
ST MONICA’S COLLEGE, EPPING
Gabrielle Godinho, 17 and Jam es Golob, 17
Leader, servant, representative — in times of uncertainty, these are the types of people others follow. As captains of St Monica’s College, we understand that leadership, in its virtue of providing direction and comfort, is a necessary quality that we hope to exhibit and develop together.
Today, Australians, young and old, suffer from the turbulence of homelessness, the effects of bushfires and the infringement on our rights to privacy through technology. Despite these burdens our outlook is bright. Student leadership provides us a platform, of which we can broadcast these issues.
Engagement with our local and global community has always been a cornerstone of Monican education. Our partner schools in the Philippines, Kenya and Western Australia are how we manage to foster education in otherwise deprived communities and restore some form of agency to children lacking basic human rights.
The fundamental value of leadership that has been engraved into our minds since year seven is the significance of servant leadership whereby leaders should lead through service to others. We vouch to continue the schools support in these areas, while extending our outreach to local aged-care centres, primary schools and numerous other charities and organisations.
Each step taken for the benefit of another person is a step worthwhile.
PARADE COLLEGE, BUNDOORA
Lachlan Pike, 17
To make a difference in our communities, whether it be our school, local, or global communities, acceptance and inclusivity are of utmost importance.
At a school with students of different nationalities, cultural backgrounds, religions and sexualities, to me, it is crucial that I make everyone feel supported.
One step that has been taken in our school community to promote acceptance is the creation of a diversity committee. Strongly supported by myself and other college leaders, the committee aims to create an inclusive community in which all members of the school feel safe.
As the year progresses, I hope to create social change by continuing to advocate for the acceptance of all individuals, not only at a school level, but also in our global community too. I will also act by continuing to draw attention to the ongoing climate crisis.
I continue to be inspired by climate activists such as Greta Thunberg, who remains resilient in a time where climate action continues to lack in our governments.
While our school has created a sustainability committee and attended the climate strikes, I hope to keep advocating for immediate climate action throughout 2020 and onwards, so that our future generations can thrive.
MONTMORENCY SECONDARY COLLEGE
Ania Bulenda, 17 and Sarah Van Putten, 17
Our applications for college captain were not filled out ignorantly.
We knew what the position entailed and we were fully prepared to take on any challenges that it might present. We applied for the position to not only improve our leadership capabilities, but also to become better people and to assist us in becoming more confident for the future in the vast leadership world. Our vision for the 2020 year is to encourage everyone to embrace their best selves and become more confident in their abilities.
Among our community, we aim to encourage those who are experiencing low levels mental health and who are just not having a good day to seek support, and to embrace open communication with the recognition that they are not alone.
We all experience mental health issues and it is important that we help each other, so that we all feel comfortable in our own community.
The message we wish to spread to young leaders and members of the wider community is to feel comfortable to seek help when you or others need it, and to feel confident in embracing your leadership capabilities as you can be a leader with or without a badge.
ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL
Hannah Smailes, 17 and Bailey Johnson, 17
Our school values are primarily based on respect and about building an environment, both literal and metaphysical, where everyone can feel safe and confident to explore themselves and their passions in life.
As the school leaders, we believe that this is something we’ve come to understand from our time at Eltham High School, and we aspire to encourage our students to take this experience with them throughout life: to respect diversity, to be creative, to pursue excellence, to hold themselves with integrity, to act socially and environmentally responsible, and to be individual. We believe in our various student leadership teams, who have held rallies for climate action, raised more than $40,000 for educating girls in Africa, and competed in science competitions. We aim to make a difference by empowering our school community to be confident and to strive for their most ambitious goals.
“You take action based on where you want to be, not where you are.” – Terry Crews
BUNDOORA SECONDARY COLLEGE
Jack Warren, 18 and Elli Downing, 17
We have a variety of passions and talents that are being expressed daily through our school program.
Being a student at Bundoora Secondary, I have been given and taken many opportunities to chase down my passions while also being able to develop long lasting friendships with many of my peers.
Bundoora Secondary College uses social media to showcase these talents and success in learning to our wider community.
I hope to leave my mark by increasing our social media presence to help our students to grow their voices and be proud of their achievements at school.
— Jack Warren
As the new school captains of Bundoora Secondary College we believe in students being able to take control of their learning and preparing students not just for something but for anything that they choose to pursue.
Over my time at school, I have had many opportunities to develop my leadership skills including attending The School for Student Leadership, leadership workshops and becoming a member of The Koorie Academy of Excellence where I have further developed my personal skills.
I hope to make my mark by leaving our school with a sustainable leadership structure and empowering the younger students.
— Elli Downing
GREENSBOROUGH COLLEGE
Ryan Melville, 17 and Elyssa Rees, 17
The number of young people needing help of mental health services is growing.
This demand has led to increased waiting times for services like headspace, which as of 2020, estimated that a
patient’s first session occurs on average 25.5 days after making contact. Having to wait so long is
discouraging and causes sufferers to feel lost in the system. My objective is to educate my peers
on mental health maintenance and to help alleviate the number of young people waiting to see the
appropriate professional. This education would include practising strategies like: mindfulness
meditation, how to approach difficult conversations with peers or family and keeping track of
moods using a diary or app.
— Ryan Melville
Climate change is a growing concern. Sea levels and atmospheric carbon dioxide
levels are rising; we are witnessing extreme and unseasonal weather patterns.
But all is not lost.
Adapting our actions and attitudes can bring positive change.
As individuals, we can have a positive impact on the environment.
By teaching
children, from a young age, that their daily activities affect the very planet we live
on, we can empower them to consume food, water and electrical resource wisely.
My aim, as a leader of my school community, is to encourage fellow students to
initiate meaningful dialogue around climate change and to make good choices
that take our planet into consideration.
— Elyssa Rees
CATHOLIC LADIES’ COLLEGE, ELTHAM
Maya Wallens, 17 and Emma De Bolfo, 17
To lead is not always to be doing, guiding or talking, but sometimes to simply instil ease and security within people because I believe that there is equal power and maturity in someone who knows when to remain silent.
I aspire to be someone I would look up to, and not necessarily someone who achieves a lot, but someone who is certain and determined in their ways and confident in their character.
I implore young people to listen to themselves when things get tough, to realise that they can ask for help, and to practise equanimity, always.
— Maya Wallens
I hope to create more awareness surrounding the importance of mental health among our community.
Through initiatives including R U OK? day and the Resilience Project, I look forward to creating more support networks for those who have found it difficult to seek help on their own.
I hope for both my peers and members of the wider community to feel safe and comfortable in asking for help, making it the norm to check up on your friends and share how you are feeling.
It’s important that we’re proactive instead of reactive and continue implementing systems within the community to ensure that people can actually address some of their mental health issues.
— Emma De Bolfo