Melbourne western suburbs 2020 school captains share hopes, dreams for future
They’re often thought of as selfie-taking showoffs — but our next crop of leaders are anything but. We asked every Year 12 school captain what difference they can make to the world. Here’s what those from Melbourne’s west have to offer.
Wyndham Leader
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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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BAYSIDE, CAULFIELD AND PORT PHILLIP SCHOOL CAPTAINS
FRANKSTON AND GREATER DANDENONG SCHOOL CAPTAINS
LILYDALE, YARRA VALLEY AND MAROONDAH SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MACKILLOP COLLEGE, WERRIBEE
Marcus O'Malley, 17, and Zahra Abela, 17
MacKillop College is celebrating 50 years in 2020.
Our theme for the year is from our patron, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, who in 1907 said, “Gratitude is the memory of the heart”.
For us, as college captains, we are aiming to fully embrace this sentiment by celebrating MacKillop’s past while planning for a successful 2020 and beyond.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop held strong values on inclusivity and freedom, something we support through our social justice programs and a school-wide approach to celebrating all life, both within our community and as a part of the global community.
Our world is calling for compassion and care and it needs to begin with those immediately around us, our college community, and as a consequence, the wider community will be the benefactors of an approach that values harmony and diversity.
WILLIAMSTOWN HIGH SCHOOL — PASCO ST CAMPUS
Peter Bowles, 17 and Olivia Marshall, 17
Climate change inaction is affecting life in Australia today.
There is a great cry for action from the next generation of young leaders who are calling for urgent change to create a clean energy and sustainable future.
Just as leaving your homework to the last minute is not a wise decision, the same is true for action on climate change.
The catastrophic fires experienced this summer underline the need for greater cohesion and leadership in the community.
As a young leader I am optimistic that through constructive dialogue together we can find the way to address this challenge.
School, especially Year 12 can be an overwhelming and often stressful environment.
— Peter Bowles
This year as a captain I would like to ensure that every student views our school as a safe space where they feel encouraged to do their best and enjoy learning.
By all teachers completing mental health first aid certificates, as well as the creation of a “rewind” space, students will feel confident in their teachers’ abilities to give help when they need.
This advocacy and support of youth mental health with hopefully continue into the wider community, as students and teachers will be able to share these skills with family and friends.
— Olivia Marshall
MANOR LAKES P-12 COLLEGE, WYNDHAM VALE
Connor Organ, 17, and Sasha Sri Deenathayalan, 17
As the 2020 Manor Lakes College school captains we aim to build a community where every student feels safe and secure. Ultimately, we strive for a space where our peers can thrive and grow in an environment they want to be in.
Both of us coming from hardshipsand backgrounds where we have struggled, we know how hard it can be to fit in or to belong, we know how difficult high schoolcan be, our goal is to build a space where every one of our peers, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality or religion, feels secure and has a space where they are comfortable and feel excited to be here.
Our promise is that we will not giveup no matter what, we will fight every day and we will strive to achieve our goals.
We promise to fight for our school and its future.
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MOORABBIN, MORDIALLOC AND CHELSEA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MORELAND AND MOONEE VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS
MORNINGTON PENINSULA SCHOOL CAPTAINS
NORTHCOTE, PRESTON AND HEIDELBERG SCHOOL CAPTAINS
NORTHERN, SUNBURY AND MACEDON RANGES SCHOOL CAPTAINS
HOPPERS CROSSING SECONDARY COLLEGE
Haylee Downes, 17 and Tyler-Jo (TJ) Parsons, 17
As college captains at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College for 2020, our main goal is to focus on encouraging and fostering a culture of students stepping out, getting involved and taking pride in their school.
We believe that so much learning can be done within and outside of the classroom. We wish to encourage students to get involved in as many of the amazing programs as possible. We believe by encouraging this it will lead to a more connected and empoweredcommunity, not just at HCSC but also within Wyndham. The lifelong skills that can be learned through getting involved andstepping out can help shape young people into involved and empowered adults. We hope that through this we can help in developingpride for where we come from and the groups that we are apart of, both as members of Hoppers Crossing Secondary College and the Wyndham region.
As young people, we have the ability to create and shape the future that we want and that can only be achieved by speakingout, getting involved and making that change happen ourselves. We urge everyone to go out, get what they want and inquireinto some of the amazing opportunities on offer to you.
TARNEIT SENIOR COLLEGE
Jasanpreet Singh, 17, Asma Hussein, 18, Jesse Manoa, 16 and Shah Ortell, 17
As leaders within a dynamic, diverse and emerging community, we will use our collective efforts and experience to develop a sense of connectedness, purpose and harmony among our peers, their families, and our community.
We are inspired by the leaders who have shaped us into the individuals we are today – these people have challenged, liftedand transformed us.
As college captains, we have reflected on our vision to enhance connectedness, purpose and harmony throughoutour community.
We have considered the qualities that make us, and those of our college, who we are – our culture, our nationalitiesand our beliefs.
To achieve this, we will continue to work with our school leadership team to celebrate differences through school events, cultural education and respectful relationships. In all we do, we will seek to build unity through diversity, as Richard Twisssaid: “You can’t have unity without diversity.”
We will lead the students of Tarneit Senior College to reflect on their own identities, celebrate what makes them who they are and provide them with the platform to showcase this to our college community.
It is by working with each student in ourcollege and providing each of those students with a voice that we will see greater connectedness, purpose, and harmony.
SUZANNE CORY HIGH SCHOOL, WERRIBEE
Matthew Nguyen, 17 and Katrina Danial, 17
As the leaders of a relatively young school, we are committed to developing a strong school identity and inspiring a united student body that is dedicated to service and contribution.
From student-led fundraisers to domain leadership to the homegroup buddy system for younger students, our goal is to instil in our peers a profound desire to make a difference in another’s life.
In a world where positions of power are abused and taken for granted, it is vital that we, the next generation, always remember that leadership is never about one, but rather the collective. Now is the time to build one another up as a school and local community to step into higher positions together.
As school captains, we aim to do this for our fellow students by participating in various school and community initiatives ourselves to lead by example.
We believe that it is through positive role models, peer support and inclusive leadership that we can all do our part in fostering confidence and unlocking potential in youth. If we all contribute to creating an educational environment that encourages and celebrates such participation and initiative, we will inspire the future leaders who will take our society forward.
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WHITEHORSE AND MANNINGHAM SCHOOL CAPTAINS
WHITTLESEA AND DIAMOND VALLEY SCHOOL CAPTAINS
BAYSIDE P-12 COLLEGE, NEWPORT
Tanya Kovačević, 17 and Nia Ido Michele, 17
This year, our focus is wellbeing, an important aspect of everyone’s lives. The SRC plans to form connections between students at Bayside so that we feel comfortable seeking support from each other. Consequently, we improve our mental and social wellbeing, as we grow closer to our peers.
Learning to build healthy relationships prepares us for situations outside of school. It helpsus build resilience and become better members of the community.
In feeling more comfortable with others and feeling supported, we are motivated to try to have the same effect on others.
Our community comprises various cultures and backgrounds. We believe that the best way to feel more comfortable with othersis by understanding them and their identity. How can we improve the wellbeing of our students?
Through communication and compassion. We should all be proud of our differences. By learning from each other we can further strengthen the connections between us.
We will be conducting a few group activities and forums that will bond our students. We will address healthy studying, eatingand socialising.
These activities will help our peers immensely, alongside support from our community; our students’ improved wellbeing will benefit the community.
ST ALBANS SECONDARY COLLEGE
Shalom Tiatia, 17 and Dea Vidović, 17
Our community and our presence within it are crucial to us, not only as leaders but also as members of our generation.
While we may still be young, we do not let that dictate our steps towards supporting our community for the future ahead of us. Independently, we take part in a vast range of activities to help surrounding individuals in every aspect we can.
From attending church groups to volunteering teaching, our aim is to build a sense of connection among individuals within our society. However minor the action may be, to us, no deed is too small.
Any act towards helping the people around you is an accomplishment on its own. In turn, we believe that being heard is something that everyone should be able to experience. As a result, we continuously exercise our voices and opinions.
From taking part in fundraisers to attending protests, we want our voices to be heard to make change, and make these decisions for our friends who cannot find the strength to do so. Hence, we will continue to encourage everyone around us to find their own strength to better the community, as no matter how drastic or subtle their actions maybe, if we as a collective come together, change will happen.
CAROLINE CHISHOLM CATHOLIC COLLEGE
Dominic Tathangthong, 17, Mikaela Franze, 17, Ignazia Varela, 17 and Adrian Mois, 17
2020 has inspired us, as leaders of our generation, to make a long-lasting and positive impact on our community. In an agewhere young people are consumed by technology, we aim to use social media to our advantage in raising awareness for social causes.
We wish to support and maintain a positive platform for student voice in order to build a better tomorrow.
Understandingthe importance of mental health will also make a difference in our community. As teenagers, we are all able to relate to each other and understand the challenges that life can throw at us, whether it be school, friendships, family or even self-doubt. Mental health is difficult but being able to speak out in order to understand that you are not alone will help connect us all.
We, as captains, aim to focus on the wellbeing of our community to ensure that we sustain healthy relationships with not only our minds but also with each other.
To achieve these goals, we strive to make student voice our top priority, ensuring that everyone is heard and supported to the best of our ability to make our school, our community and our world a better place.
BRAYBROOK COLLEGE
Georgina Tsobanis, 17 and John-Paul Tran, 17
The inspirational words of a mental health victim echo in my head: “No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.” (Robin Williams).
Through my passion in public speaking, I hope to boldly usher teenage mental health issues to the forefront of governmentagenda. I want to shine a spotlight on societal factors contributing to mental health matters and inspire action and changeto improve policies, legislation and available services in our community. I believe that a greater focus on mental healthand the wellbeing of young citizens is paramount to making a true difference in my community.
— Georgina Tsobanis
Participation is key to making your community a better place. I intend to be proactive and involved in decision-making processesthat help shape my community and ultimately the world that I live in. I want to invest my time in ensuring that young peoplereceive quality civic and political education and become active citizens.
There’s a world that goes beyond textbooks. Making the most of opportunities that arise and having a voice is how I hope to make a difference for myself, my peers and those who come after me. No matter how big or small the issue.
— John-Paul Tran
STAUGHTON COLLEGE, MELTON
Hayley Aguila, 17 and Kennedy Su’a, 17
As college captains, our goal is to improve our school’s image to our students and the wider community. We aim do this by taking part in organising local events and working with other students in Staughton’s Leadership Team. We hope by gettinginvolved we can further improve our school and showcase positive aspects of our school to the community.
Over the past few years, we have been working hard with our team to continue to improve the school. We have taken part in the school’s communication team and the school’s news and current events program, The Staughton Report. We have also taken part in the Staughton’s performing arts and cultural programs. We would like to showcase these sidesof the school to further promote the idea of diversity and inclusivity in Melton. We look forward to working with not onlyour school Leadership Team but also with members of our local community.
The actions we plan to take as captains are to collaborate and work alongside our teachers, vice-captains and other leadershipteam members. We both look forward to assisting at school events and implementing new ideas. By achieving our goals, we hopeto make Staughton College an even better school for its students and the local community.
KURUNJANG SECONDARY COLLEGE, MELTON
Shane Addicoat, 17 and Iesha Samaratunga, 17
As the leaders of tomorrow, Shane and I believe it is a part of our duty to make a positive impact throughout our school community. We will demonstrate this by participating and encouraging others to undertake the following activities.
Student voice is greatly encouraged at our school and as leaders it is our priority to let the students of Kurunjang input their thoughts, opinions and feelings to not only their education but also the school as an entirety.
We will present these inputs to teachers with a view to improving the college environment along with other student needs.
‘R U OK’ day, which is a non- profit, suicide prevention organisation is greatly supported in our school.
This advises students to speak up, vocalise their hardship as well as disputes, and prevent any extreme consequences that could significantly affect their lives and people around them.
At Kurunjang, we are strong advocates for producing inter-school related activities for throughout this day, which includes non-profit fundraisers and distributing positive messages around the school.
We will provide teachers with refreshments, morning tea and lunchtime activities for the student body.
We plan on leaving a sustainable mark that our future generations can carry on.
POINT COOK SENIOR SECONDARY COLLEGE
Kirsten Canares, 17 and Ben Roper, 17
Learning has changed over time with the advancement of technology. It now goes beyond the classroom and out to what is happening in global society as we’re given more access through technological advancements to be well informed of issues.
This is important if we want to make meaningful change in today’s ever-changing society.
Students across Victoria are lucky to be given platforms that empower them to take action on issues they’re passionate about.
From statewide youth summits, to our very own school’s student representative councils, the opportunity to network and discuss our views with like-minded students allows us to share ideas.
It also encourages us to pick up the skill of adapting and embracing change, which is a key aspect if advances are to be made.
We hope to maintain the immense support to stop the climate crisis in Australia and prevent further damage.
We encourage the diversity of our country, the representation of indigenous Australians, and hope that we are all being given equal opportunities.
In today’s era where technology is predominant, we are given the capability to use it in ways that make minorities feel genuinely heard and give them the freedom to express themselves.