Class of 2025: Meet the student captains leading the Northern Territory’s top public high schools

The Territory’s future leaders from our top-ranked public schools have shared their optimism about an uncertain but exciting future. Get inspired and see the NT’s top 10 list.

The future is bright for the Territory with leaders from the top-ranked public schools sharing their thoughts about an uncertain, but optimistic future.

To celebrate the schools ranked in our exclusive list of the top 10 Northern Territory public high schools, we spoke to some of the school captains about their ambitions and concerns for their generation’s future.

Darwin Middle School

Timmy Chan and Quan Khanh Do

Year 9 students Timmy Chan and Quan Khanh Do are captains of News Corp's top-ranked NT government high school, Darwin Middle School. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Timmy Chan, 15, and Quan Khanh Do, 15, are school captains of the top-ranked Darwin Middle School.

The accomplished pair were both born overseas, demonstrating their remarkable resilience and determination to rise to positions of leadership in their school.

Quan hopes to become a doctor, while Timmy is still discovering what she would like to do.

The pair said emerging technologies such as generative AI present both a risk and an opportunity for their generation.

“I have been hearing AI is not sustainable for the environment,” Timmy said.

Principal Annette Pedersen with the two accomplished students. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It’s definitely a great tool, but it shouldn’t be used for everything. For example, creative stuff should be left to us humans.”

The two young people had some sound advice for their generation.

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – you just have to learn from it and keep trying,” Timmy said.

“Mistakes help you grow.”

“Improve yourself, even if it’s a little bit every day,” Quan said. “Also try to read more books instead of doom-scrolling.”

Nightcliff Middle School

Natalie Barber and Leah

Third-ranked Nightcliff Middle School’s future leaders Leah and Natalie. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Natalie Barber, 14, and Leah, 14, are year 9 captains at third-ranked Nightcliff Middle School.

They share a passion for mental health awareness and both hope to work in allied health professions.

“I want to become an occupational therapist to help people,” Natalie said.

“I want to help them to have a better life and be their best again after traumatic incidents.”

Leah wants to become a nurse and an author of teen fiction.

Leah is optimistic about the future. Picture: Darcy Fitzgerald

Both students thought the incoming social media ban would help prevent online bullying, but could also lead to a disconnection between young people.

“Social media can also be a good thing to connect with friends and see what other young people around the world are up to,” Natalie said.

Leah and Natalie said they were optimistic about the future.

“Our generation is challenging old mindsets to think ahead and truly see what our voices can do,” Leah said.

“And I imagine that the future is filled with people who were once kids with dreams and visions about change that have now grown up and are still pushing for a better future.”

Originally published as Class of 2025: Meet the student captains leading the Northern Territory’s top public high schools