Meet the inspiring leaders: Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley 2023 school captains ready to make a difference
From wanting to raise awareness and funds to beat cancer, to establishing a student council, the Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley regions have inspiring 2023 school captains.
Education
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Each year, a new round of student leaders are announced across the region, with the senior students ready to make their mark before stepping out into the world.
For some, the new role presents an opportunity to enhance their skills and inspire others, while for others, it’s a chance to give back to the school and make it even better than it was when they first started.
The Toowoomba Chronicle approached the region’s schools to learn about what their 2023 leaders have planned for their final year.
Here’s what they had to say.
Toowoomba State High School
Rezgar Qado and Daisy Reynolds
After fleeing his war-torn home in Iraq, Toowoomba State High School’s captain for 2023 Rezgar Qado, alongside his co-captain Daisy Reynolds, hoped that the new position would allow further change to better the school and help its students.
“One of the things that I want my school to achieve as school captain is helping our immigrant students see that they can succeed in their schooling and feel accepted by the school community,” he said.
While Daisy loves her school, she acknowledges that it may not be a happy place for everyone.
“With some assistance … I hope to help everyone find a place where they feel safe and accepted,” she said.
Wilsonton State High School
Jesse Ross, Caitlin Slattery, Sophie Tomkinson and Jack Becker
For Jesse Ross, being a school captain means helping her peers to find a better future, and a safe, more inclusive and fun environment at Wilsonton State High School.
“I want students to understand their behaviour and how it affects them and the peers around them and I want to celebrate inclusion for everyone in our wellbeing days,” she said.
Co-captain Caitlin Slattery agreed about the importance of an inclusive environment.
Fellow co-captains Sophie Tomkinson and Jack Becker said a strong leadership system was important, as was encouraging fellow students to get involved with sports, clubs, and other leadership opportunities.
Jack hoped he could be a role model for younger students, and inspire them to get involved with school leadership opportunities.
Harristown State High School
Ryan Bamberry and Emily Burchardt
For Harristown State High School captains Ryan Bamberry and Emily Burchardt, 2023 is an opportunity to improve the image and reputation of their beloved school.
Ryan said he wanted to show the community “what a great school it is” while working closely with the principal and other members of the school.
“(I want) to have people say ‘Harristown, that’s a really good school’,” Emily said.
“I’d like to have people realise that Harristown is an amazing school that has so much to offer.”
Fairholme College
Tharushika Perera
A positive and inclusive Fairholme Collage for all students is the ultimate goal for 2023 head girl Tharushika Perera.
At 17 years old, Tharushika said being chosen as Fairholme College’s school captain was a true privilege.
“This year, I want to create a greater sense of connection between the girls in the Fairholme College community, helping them to realise that they are surrounded by other inspiring girls with unique talents and perspectives,” she said.
“I want to ensure that every girl knows that she has a place at Fairholme where she is encouraged to pursue her dreams and aspirations.”
After graduating, Tharushika hopes to study medicine, travel the world and meet new people.
Toowoomba Anglican School
Samuel Lawrence and Charlotte Lacey
Building school spirit is an important element of being head boy and girl, as Samuel Lawrence and Charlotte Lacey are learning this year.
Samuel Lawrence has been involved with the performing arts during his time at Toowoomba Anglican School and hopes to support the arts and sports groups to increase student participation.
For Charlotte however, she hopes to be a positive role model and mentor for younger students.
“It is such an honour to lead the school so I would be particularly proud if I could further enhance our reputation for excellence, equality, kindness, and spirit into the broader community,’ she said.
“I would be thrilled if I could achieve a positive connection with a range of students and be a strength to all.
“I would like to look back at the end of the year and see that taking the time to listen and be supportive has given many a sense of belonging and acceptance that is so very necessary to be able to navigate senior school.”
Downlands College
Angus Bennetts and Laura Conway
Each year, the selected school captains have ideas on how they can help make positive changes in their school, and Downlands College leaders Angus Bennetts and Laura Conway are no exception.
With Downlands offering classes from Prep to Year 12, Angus said he wanted to ensure the integration of the younger grades into the community was seamless.
“It is important that they know they belong here, feel included, and that we instil in them the MSC (Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) spirit that we live by at Downlands,” he said.
“Along with the student leadership team, this will be a main focus for the year.”
For Laura, she said she wanted to ensure the school community was united while embedding the school’s values into all aspects of life.
“I am excited for the opportunities I will receive to help improve the school and to learn about myself, my peers and what it takes to be a leader,” she said.
Highlands Christian College
Joshua Wallace and Aria Stiller
This year, Highlands Christian College school captains Joshua Wallace and Aria Stiller are excited to lead by example, develop their leadership and help grow the next generation.
Into this year, they both hope they can encourage their peers to live up to their full potential by demonstrating the school’s values.
“To continue to raise the standards of our college’s culture of inclusivity. Further to this is affirming students of their value within the college,” the captains said.
Into 2024, they both hope to experience the world as much as possible.
“(We want to) live life to the fullest according to the plan and purpose the Lord
has set for each of us,” they said.
The Glennie School
Sophie Fleming and Holly Campbell
For Glennie 2023 captain Sophie Fleming, the opportunity of giving back to the school is the most exciting part about taking on the role.
“I love our Glennie girls, so waking up everyday knowing that I get to inspire, encourage and support them is a gift of my gratitude,” she said.
This year, Sophie and her co-captain Holly Campbell are determined to leave a positive Glennie legacy.
“We want to nurture the Glennie spirit among the student body and encourage the girls to love the environment, opportunities, and connections as much as we do,” Holly said.
“Instilling the drive among the girls to create a culture of strong and positive-minded young women.”
Sophie hopes to achieve a deeper sense of connection between students across the cohorts.
“It is important to recognise that building strong connections not only with your year level peers, but with the wider cohorts from Prep to Year 12, lead to a more united community where connections can often be disrupted by the busy bee nature of the world we live in today,” she said.
Toowoomba Grammar School
Thisaja Samarawickrama, Pat Savill and Riyan Khan
Toowoomba Grammar has selected its prefects for 2023.
Thisaja Samarawickrama is the senior prefect, Pat Savill the senior boarding prefect, and Riyan Khan the senior dayboy prefect.
For Thisaja, being a prefect gives him the chance to leave a positive impact on the students and school.
Through improving standards at the school and helping younger students feel part of the school, Thisaja said he wanted to leave a positive legacy on the school when he graduated, and hopefully become a professional cricketer.
For Pat, he wants to create stronger connections between the younger and older students.
“Stronger relationships would be extremely beneficial in supporting younger students to develop a sense of belonging and would be equally as rewarding for the seniors,” he said.
Riyan agreed with the goals listed by his fellow prefects, and said he wanted to implement the initiatives developed in the prefects’ plan for 2023.
“These initiatives, developed by the prefect leadership team, look at how we can improve the school in every aspect, and range from student tutoring, to promoting extra-curricular involvement,” he said.
“Every year, it is exciting to see these initiatives takeoff, and I hope that the ones
created for this year are no different and help our school community grow in new ways.”
St Mary’s College
Daryll Quijas and Bart Steffen
St Mary’s College students Daryll Quijas and Bart Steffen are determined to “Strive for the Crown” as the 2023 school captains.
Whether it be volunteering for charities and social justice, sporting commitments and academic achievements, Daryll and Bart said they were committed to the school in all aspects of life.
“I would love to achieve for my school a championship trophy this year. As someone who is passionate about the sport of basketball and representing the school team since Year 7, I have a desire to win a championship,” Daryll said.
By taking on the role of a school captain, Bart hopes to be a role model for others and inspire them to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.
“By the time of graduation, I hope to achieve bringing back more co-curricular activities for the students to be involved in within St Mary’s College and the wider community,” he said.
“It has been apparent that the global pandemic has affected everything in some capacity, so helping bring back and extending on cultural, sporting and social events for the students to be involved in is a big goal of mine.”
St Joseph’s College
Sophie Wagner and Shane Hurlock
Being a school captain allows you to leave a legacy and impact the school and students in a positive way to improve and benefit the community.
For St Joseph’s College school captains Sophie Wagner and Shane Hurlock, the most exciting thing about taking on the role are the possibilities from connecting with students, staff and families of the college.
“This year, alongside Shane, we want to not only achieve an increase in student engagement within all aspects of college life but also to encourage the members of our community to find their passions, facing their goals with determination and perseverance,” Sophie said.
Upon graduation, Shane hopes to study a Law and Criminology degree and become a criminal lawyer.
Sophie wants to gain entry into a social science degree, and though she is not sure yet which area she wants to pursue, she wants to explore her options and the world.
Oakey State High School
Ally Darr, Debbie Heyze, Isla Prior-Mead, Sharmekah Young and Gypsy Woodward
At Oakey State High School, students live through the school motto of “Own it, Believe It, Achieve It”.
For 2023 school captains Ally Darr, Debbie Heyze, Isla Prior-Mead, Gypsy Woodward and Sharmekah Young, the motto is a reality with them being the school’s first all female captain team.
“This year, I want everyone to not only enjoy the year, but to strive and do their best. I want everyone to remember the first group of all girl school captains for Oakey,” Sharmekah said.
All captains are determined to find a way to engage students with available activities and resources, and continue to grow the school’s positive reputation in the region.
“I want to be a part of making the school community fun and exciting, wit lunchtime activities that everyone wants to be a part of, and that people will continue even after us leaders are gone,” Debbie said.
Indigenous leader Gypsy is also determined to encourage passion for the Indigenous culture across the school.
“Even if it’s in the littlest ways, such as showing the younger generations the importance of our culture like painting, song and dance,” she said.
Highfields State Secondary College
Mitch Dabin and Mackenzie Alden
Being confident to chase your dreams is something Highfields State Secondary College 2023 school captain Mitch Dabin hopes to instil in his peers.
Alongside his co-captain Mackenzie Alden, Mitch hopes to be a role model for all students and make the most out of the year by getting in and having a go.
For Mackenzie, she hopes that through her role she can be a role model in particular for those students who are finding high school difficult, as she once did.
“This year I want be able to increase the pride our school community has for our school,” Mackenzie said.
“By increasing participation in the many aspects of our school, I want everyone to be proud to go to HSSC.”
St Ursula’s College
Charlotte Doljanin, Annabelle Ford, Ellie Barrett, Caitlin Jones, Chloe Miles, Eva Tague and Lydia Jocumsen
Inclusivity, excitement and positive are some of the things the 2023 school captains of St Ursula’s College hope to increase in their final year of schooling.
College captain Charlotte Doljanin, vice captain Annabelle Ford, boarding captain Ellie Barrett, service captains Caitlin Jones and Chloe Miles, sports captain Eve Tague and student representative council rep Lydia Jocumsen are excited to represent their school and help their peers grow as one community.
“Our school motto for this year is ‘Build the Buzz’ with our goal of helping students maintain good mental health,” Ellie said.
“If we are able to help someone feel included or excited to come to school, we are achieving this well.”
Alongside increasing student participation in activities, and making sure everyone feels included, the captains also want to increase the school’s connection with non-profit organisations.
Pittsworth State High School
Patrick Quinn, Bree Crighton, Hannah Farrell, Lachie Crighton
Create change, listen to peers and advocate for all students are some of the most exciting things about becoming a school captain.
Pittsworth State High School 2023 captains Patrick Quinn, Bree Crighton, Hannah Farrell and Lachie Crighton hope to be role models for students and encourage them to participate in all aspects of the school.
“(I want) to make younger students feel comfortable to use their voice within the school,” Bree said.
Lachie said he wants to leave a lasting impression on the school and community.
“This year I want to achieve objectives that will make a change for future
years to remember,” he said.
Faith Lutheran College Plainland
Emma Malone and Kiara Knopke
Watching past captains leave their mark on Faith Lutheran College Plainland inspired 2023 captains Emma Malone and Kiara Knopke to step into the role.
“I want to help to create an environment where students feel heard. At Faith, we have a voice and we’re encouraged to have an opinion,” Emma said.
Kiara hopes to unify the community and change the traditional perspective of school.
“I want to help all students to have a sense of belonging. I’ll be working to encourage friendships across all the year levels and to build connections between staff and students,” she said.
Clifton State High School
Stewart Statham and Piper Brady
Clifton State High School 2023 captains Piper Brady and Stewart Statham are using their roles as leaders to find a way to have all pieces of the school work together in unison.
In particular, Stewart hopes to create conversations around a range of topics, and represent the school to the best of his ability.
Into the future, Piper wants to study a Bachelor of Science and work within the field, while Stewart hopes to study engineering.
St Saviours Primary
Charlotte Franklin, Jimi King, Isaac Ragh and Sia Luck
In their final year of primary school before venturing onto high school, St Saviour’s Primary captains Charlotte Franklin, Jimi King, Isaac Ragh and Sia Luck are excited for the rest of 2023.
“(I want to) make sure the younger students know the school revolves around the cornerstone values of compassion, commitment, service and quality,” Jimi said.
The school captains want to be a role model for all students, and particularly help younger students.
“(I want) to do something different that other leaders before me have done,” Charlotte said.
Isaac said he would like to learn different skills by being a school leader, and Sia said she was excited about the opportunities that have come and will come as a leader.
Gowrie State School
Heidi Coleman, Zara Groves, Chloe Smith and Emily Kiem
Gowrie State School students Heidi Coleman, Zara Groves, Chloe Smith and Emily Kiem were selected to represent the school as school leaders for 2023.
While they are all excited about the responsibilities that lie with the role, Chloe wants to ‘make the school a place where children enjoy coming, everyday’. When asked however what the one thing they wanted to achieve this year, the answers circulated around raising awareness and fundraising for causes.
“I would like to fundraise for important charities such as: Jump Rope for Heart and Breast Cancer and spread awareness on these topics,” Heidi said.
“I would like to raise awareness for breast cancer through fundraising events at school,” Zara added.
Meanwhile, Emily said she hoped fun days could be run to raise money for ‘our sponsor child Isaack’.
Mary MacKillop Catholic College
Charlotte Voll and Jezziah Berry
Both involved with Mary MacKillop Catholic College since Year 7, 2023 school captains Charlotte Voll and Jezziah Berry are honoured to represent the school community.
“With the college community continuing to grow, I am passionate about encouraging everyone to participate in everything they possibly can,” Jezziah said.
Charlotte hopes that through her role as a leader, she can be a good example for younger students.
“Follow your heart, work hard and be 100 per cent committed (to your dreams),” she said.
“Through this, you will set a good example and earn respect from those around you. Believe in yourself, be confident and always be kind.”
Sacred Heart Primary School
Clare Cox and Alexander Alston
Clare Cox and Alexander Alston were both excited to lead their school after they were named Sacred Heart Primary School captains for 2023.
While Clare hopes to raise awareness about climate change and Alexander wants to become an engineer, this year, they want to help make their school even better.
“I just want to bring joy by creating a Student Representative Council so kids can have a voice,” Alexander said.
Clare hopes to instil the school’s values of hospitality, integrity, compassion and excellence into all students.
“I know how when you combine all those (values), they make our school great,” she said.
St Francis de Sales School, Clifton
Bridget Harrigan, Xavier Chalmers, Mick Willett, Thomas Patterson, Archie Joppich, Baiden Bange, Eve Skillington and Indy Corfield
As the only Year 6 students at St Francis de Sales School, Clifton, all senior students have been given leadership positions to help lead the school and be role models for the younger years.
Bridget Harrigan, Xavier Chalmers, Mick Willett, Thomas Patterson, Archie Joppich, Baiden Bange, Eve Skillington and Indy Corfield collaboratively said they were excited to help around the school and be a ‘good school leader’ in 2023.
While into the future some want to become a builder, farmer, professional gamer, teacher and more, they are looking forward to buddy time with the younger students and helping them out wherever possible.
Holy Name Primary School
Ruby Henderson and Archie Adamson
Having Prep buddies, being a role model, and working collaboratively with people are some of the things Ruby Henderson and Archie Adamson are looking forward to this year.
The duo were picked as the Holy Name Primary School 2023 school captains, and Archie has said he hopes to represent the school with pride and ‘show everyone in our community what a great school it is’.
“The one thing I would like to achieve this school year is looking after all the students at Holy Name and making sure they have the best year possible,” Ruby added.
Into the future, Ruby wants to represent her high school in Netball and work in a bakery, while Archie wants to play cricket and AFL in high school.
Toowoomba Christian College
Sally Hamilton and Wrex Stubbs
For Toowoomba Christian College students Sally Hamilton and Wrex Stubbs, being named as the 2023 school captains has given them a chance to help their peers and build on the work undertaken by previous leaders.
“Aspiring to leave a positive lasting impact on Toowoomba Christian College is so exciting,” Sally said.
“I really want students to know that they are valued and have a place to contribute in our school community. Walking alongside students on their faith journey is something that I’m really passionate about.
“My greatest hope is that we will all leave school ready to lead in life and in our wider communities.”
For Wrex, he wants to help people to be better than what they are now.
“I want to leave a lasting legacy, showing people that you don’t have to be perfect to lead; getting people to realise you can be yourself and add your own personal spin to leadership, whatever that may be,” he said.
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