NT school leaders take up the fight for women

WOMEN deserve to be recognised more often for their efforts and achievements, according to some of the Territory’s future female leaders

School captains Michelle Abel, Jemima Fernandes, Phoebe Porter, Georgia Campbell and Kate Burt are leading the way for their peers. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

WOMEN deserve to be recognised more often for their efforts and achievements, according to some of the Territory’s future female leaders.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, the NT News spoke to some of the Territory’s brightest and inspirational female school captains.

This year’s theme is #BalanceforBetter and all five of them are determined to break down barriers and unite their schools.

NT Christian School captain Jemima Fernandes said she hoped to create lasting relationships between the grades.

“I see quite often younger kids looking up to the big kids but there’s just not that connection, so I hope to build that in the school,” she said.

“From the time I’ve been in Year 4 I used to always look up to an older girl and I hope to be that person for other kids now.”

Jemima has her eyes set on one of two male-dominated careers and is determined to make waves.

“I’m either going to go into law, criminal law or women’s law, or into chemistry,” she said.

“There are a couple of female lawyers in the Territory who’ve worked so hard to make a difference and it’s only now in the current time they’re being recognised.

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“It’s really important for women to be recognised for what they’re doing.”

Essington International School captain Michelle Abel aspires to be a strong female presence at her school.

“I just wanted to get my voice heard within the school and be a positive influence on the up-and-coming students,” she said.

“I want to show others even if you come from an unconfident place you can grow as a person and become more confident and do things you thought you weren’t possible.”

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Michelle has an interest in the mind and hopes to be able to provide support to people in the future.

“I want to study psychology,” Michelle said.

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“I’m interested in cognitive science, so working to help people with coping and finding out ways to help people in the future and provide hope to those struggling.”