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Class of 2025: Meet the student captains leading South Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools

These are the teens chosen by SA’s best public schools to set an example for every student. Get inspired by these impressive young leaders and explore the full top 100 rankings.

They’re not yet adults but these teens have been chosen for positions of great responsibility at some of the state’s top schools.

To celebrate the schools ranked in our exclusive list of South Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools, we spoke to some of the school captains on their roles, their ambitions – and how the responsibility has helped them grow as a person.

Glenunga International High School

Sara Zeitouneh

Responsibilities: Part of my responsibilities as head prefect involve advocating for students’ wellbeing, agency and voice, all of which contribute to improving the day-to-day lived experience of Glenunga students and strengthening our school culture. In my role, I also represent the student body and act as an advocate for those who are not in formal leadership positions.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to be head prefect because I am someone who is very passionate about fostering positive change in my community. I have always been a part of leadership, as I wanted to be a leader who is a driving force for change, where I can influence those around me to take initiative and improve the lived experience of students at Glenunga.

Skills to develop: The leadership skills I have developed over the course of the past year have equipped me with excellent interpersonal, organisational and time-management skills that are applicable in my day-to-day life.

After school goals: I would like to pursue a university degree in the health field. I have a strong passion for medicine and dentistry and have completed my Certificate III in Dental Assisting, which has helped me to realise my passion.

Glenunga International High School captains Jameson Pole and Sara Zeitouneh. Picture: Kelly Barnes
Glenunga International High School captains Jameson Pole and Sara Zeitouneh. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Jameson Pole

Responsibilities: Head prefects represent the students in our school while leading and connecting various student leadership teams to help students’ lived experience. We work closely with staff and students to foster a positive and aware school community while acting as role models, motivators, and spokespeople for students.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to be a head prefect as I truly believed in giving back to the student community and helping to develop our future student leaders at Glenunga. Every leader in our school plays an important role in supporting our students, staff and parents every single day.

Skills to develop: Being head prefect helps me develop the core people skills that I need in order to thrive within the workplace. Not only have I grown immensely in my communication and collaboration skills while working with our prefect team, but I have also developed my own agency as an individual which greatly supports my future endeavours.

After school goals: My current plans for the future involve completing a university degree in software development, as there are many emerging opportunities.

Kimba Area School

Scarlett Hunt

Responsibilities: At Kimba, a school leader has a variety of responsibilities that focus on supporting the students’ wants and needs. This includes representing the student body, assisting in the organisation of school and community events, promoting a positive and inclusive school culture, and helping to address student concerns.

Reason for taking up the role: I put up my hand to be a school leader because I wanted the opportunity to make a positive impact on our school community. I am passionate about supporting others and contributing to initiatives that benefit both the school and students.

Skills to develop: I believe being a school leader has strengthened my communication, organisation, and problem-solving abilities, and has given me experience in guiding and supporting others, skills that are essential in creating a positive environment.

After school goals: After school, I hope to pursue further studies and explore a career that allows me to continue making a positive impact in my community.

I want to pursue a career as a primary teacher as I am passionate about helping children grow and reach their potential. I hope to create a positive and supportive learning environment where each student feels valued and encouraged to succeed, as Kimba has done for me.

Kimba Area School captains Lexi Venning and Scarlett Hunt with fellow students Ollie Woolford and Kane Phillips.
Kimba Area School captains Lexi Venning and Scarlett Hunt with fellow students Ollie Woolford and Kane Phillips.

Lexi Venning

Responsibilities: I work together with other school leaders and younger student representatives to create a school environment that students can enjoy. This is through organising events, activities and seeking feedback.

Reason for taking up the role: I nominated to be a school leader as I like to be a positive role model to younger students at our school, I also enjoy working with students of all ages and the opportunities present; working with other people outside of our school such as the community and other schools.

Skills to develop: Most jobs require some type of leadership. In this case, you work as a team sometimes and collaborate with people from other fields, communication is important.

After school goals: I would like to go to university and get a degree in something I enjoy. At this point, I would like to pursue a career in the oral health/dentistry industry.

Adelaide High School

Ingrid

Responsibilities: Head prefects work across all student leadership groups across the school to ensure collaboration, foster a positive school culture, and represent the student body in key school events and activities. Head prefects are also responsible for leading the prefect team to deliver a ‘legacy project’ that will have lasting and ongoing benefits for the entire school community.

Reason for taking up the role: As a student at Adelaide High School, I have experienced first hand the positive impact that student voice and engagement have on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. As head prefect for 2025, I aim to build on the incredible progress made by previous student leaders by further engaging our strong community and understanding the diverse interests of our student body.

Skills to develop: In this role, I can enhance my communication and collaboration skills through the positive relationships I aim to build with peers, staff, and community members. Additionally, successfully organising myself and others while balancing the demands of a year 12 student will present a challenge, but I believe it will also teach me the importance of time management in achieving my goals.

After school goals: I have a strong fascination with biology and science, coupled with a passion for environmental preservation and the advancement of public health through technological and scientific innovations. I am particularly eager to study how STEM fields can drive more effective and sustainable solutions after high school.

Adelaide High School captains Lilly and Ingrid.
Adelaide High School captains Lilly and Ingrid.

Lilly

Responsibilities: It is our role to work across the leadership groups to create unity and develop a space where students can create connections. It is important that we provide leadership and support to our fellow student leaders to ensure that there are open lines of communication within the student groups and the community.

Reason for taking up the role: Leadership has been a passion of mine from a very young age. I have always loved being able to create opportunity and change within my school community, something which the prefect team at Adelaide High School are extremely passionate to implement in 2025. Throughout my 12 years as a SRC member, I have developed a deep understanding of what it means to be a leader and how to create success within a leadership group.

Skills to develop: Being a head prefect allows you to develop great communication skills, and it allows one to connect with the broader school community. As a head prefect at Adelaide High School, you are able to develop a skill set which sets you up for success and can take you many places not only in school, but in life.

After school goals: After school I plan to study psychology at university, as I am particularly interested in the development of the human mind and the science regarding emotions. Once I complete my degree, I hope to become a practising psychologist.

Marryatville High School

Ezekiel Hemming

Responsibilities: As school captain we are given the responsibility to lead not only the student body, but also change within our school. To do this, Olivia and I head the Student Representative Council (SRC), running meetings and working with other students and teachers to achieve our goals striving to make Marryatville a better place. Our SRC is a place of innovation and initiative with student representatives from across the school coming together to utilise our collective motivation to make real change for everyone within our school community.

Reason for taking up the role: I saw school captain as an opportunity to make a difference within the school community and give back to a place that has given so much to me. After 4 years of studying at Marryatville, it wasn’t lost on me the magnitude and importance of the work that is done here. To be school captain presented an opportunity to use my experiences to work with others to ensure that everyone who studies at Marryatville enjoys a similar or an even better experience.

Skills to develop: I think the skills I’ve learnt as school captain are extremely transferable and will aid me in whatever I choose to do after school. As school captain I have been able to step out of my comfort zone and gain experiences that will allow me to face new challenges more confidently. Being part of the SRC while also involved in meetings and conversations has enabled me to understand different structures and processes and how to navigate them. Further, meeting and talking to a wide range of people has allowed me to learn and develop crucial interpersonal skills that are transferable in a wide range of scenarios.

After school goals: After school I want to study at university. School captain has given me a great experience of improving the experiences of people around me and so I am looking to study something such as Law and International Relations. As a career, I would like to be able to utilise the skills I learn at university and work somewhere within the government to help make changes that will better the lives of Australians.

Marryatville High School captains Ezekiel Hemming and Olivia Godsmark.
Marryatville High School captains Ezekiel Hemming and Olivia Godsmark.

Olivia Godsmark

Responsibilities: As school captain at Marryatville High School, we have several responsibilities, most notably running the SRC and supporting each of the initiatives that the students put forward, as well as our own. I’ve found that this is where the brunt of our responsibilities lies, in organising those within the SRC to help them bring their ideas to life by allowing them to understand the system. In addition to that we run any whole school assemblies scheduled and also any assemblies for milestones in our school.

Reason for taking up the role: I put my hand up to be school captain because I simply desired to help as many people as possible. It was important for me that everyone and anyone who comes to Marryatville for any reason can feel welcomed and at home here.

Skills to develop: School captain has provided me with amazing opportunities to meet so many different people including members of parliament, invested teachers and staff, loving parents and hundreds of dedicated students. I think school captain has provided me with a new level of confidence by interacting with others and taking chances that will apply to all areas of my life. School captain has taught me that if you don’t work hard and commit that you never get anywhere and that applies to every part of life including all future careers.

After school goals: After high school I plan on going to university and working hard to put myself in a position where I can change the world and help the maximum amount of people possible. I don’t have all the answers about my future yet but I am one hundred per cent sure that my future career whether science, law, linguistics focused must be one that puts me in position to create real change.

Findon High School

Lily Jones

Responsibilities: This role comes with responsibilities like representing the student body, making positive connections with the staff and students, leading by example, and developing a legacy project.

Reason for taking up the role: I chose to run for school captain to be a friendly face for all new students and to support the staff with navigating this generation’s challenges given how much society has evolved. A few examples being social media, Covid isolation, and mental health.

Skills to develop: Being captain will help build public speaking, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

After school goals: In the future, I plan to complete a degree in law and psychology and work as a forensic psychologist.

Findon High School captain Lily Jones.
Findon High School captain Lily Jones.
Findon High School captain Amelie Zanella.
Findon High School captain Amelie Zanella.

Amelie Zanella

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of being a school captain at Findon High School are to be a role model for our peers and to encourage enthusiasm for school and learning.

Reason for taking up the role: I put my hand up to be a school captain as I believed that I not only demonstrated the school values, but I am also able to be a positive role model and help others to demonstrate those values.

Skills to develop: The skills that being a school captain has aided me in developing include leadership, responsibility, confidence, communication and problem solving.

After school goals: After school I would like to go to university and get a Bachelor of Architecture as I would like to be an interior designer.

Roma Mitchell Secondary College

Nadia Rondon Carreno

Responsibilities: My responsibilities include representing the student body, fostering a positive school culture, and assisting with events and initiatives. I also act as a role model for younger students, help maintain school values, and support staff and students in various leadership capacities.

Reason for taking up the role: I’m passionate about leadership and making a meaningful impact on my school community. Having been a prefect before in younger years, I know how valuable this role can be in supporting students and shaping the school environment. I also wanted to bring a fresh perspective, especially as someone who recently moved schools last year.

Skills to develop: Being a prefect will strengthen my leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. It also will give me first-hand experience in representing a community, making decisions, and balancing responsibilities, all of which are valuable in political and leadership roles.

After school goals: I plan to pursue a double degree in law and international relations at university, focusing on global governance, human rights, and diplomacy. Coming from a family with roots in South America, where my parents grew up under dictatorships has fuelled my passion for law and politics, motivating me to advocate for fairness, accountability, and human rights. I aspire to become a politician or work in international law.

Roma Mitchell Secondary College captains Amir Zaki, Mikayla Dawson-Sincock and Nadia Rondon Carreno.
Roma Mitchell Secondary College captains Amir Zaki, Mikayla Dawson-Sincock and Nadia Rondon Carreno.

Mikayla Dawson-Sincock

Responsibilities: Prefects serve as role models who promote respect and inclusivity. They assist in organising school events and facilitate communication between students and school administration.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to become a prefect because of my desire to help. When I see an issue within the school, I strive to address it or lighten its impact on students, teachers, and staff, being a prefect allows me to better do this.

Skills to develop: Being a school leader helps me develop essential skills like communication, organisation and teamwork, which are valuable in any career.

After school goals: I am currently participating in a school-based apprenticeship as a chef, which I plan to continue after completing year 12.

Amir Zaki

Responsibilities: Prefects are responsible for designing year 12 uniform and organising year 12 events, such as formal and graduation. Additionally, prefects are involved in organising and running whole school assemblies and other special events which occur multiple times throughout the school year.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to improve upon various skills and to contribute to making the school a better place. I knew that as a prefect I would essentially be a leader and a role model for other students, and this would allow me to develop the attributes and skills of a successful leader.

Skills to develop: As a school prefect I am developing various skills, including teamwork, communication, leadership, problem solving and time management. My teamwork and leadership skills will be improved upon as prefects often work together to organise, plan, and run events.

After school goals: I am aiming for a place in medical school, preferably at Adelaide University. Even though medicine is a highly competitive field and spots are limited, the competitiveness aspect drives me even more as I want work hard and reach the pinnacle.

Tintinara Area School

Tintinara Area School SRC president Hannah Harkness.
Tintinara Area School SRC president Hannah Harkness.

Hannah Harkness

Responsibilities: My responsibilities as the SRC president are to liaise with all students and staff to create fun and meaningful events. For example Tintinara has regular wellbeing afternoons that involve all students and the local community, daily announcements of the weather and birthday celebrations and celebrating national events like Harmony Day and Book Week.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to be involved in the school and make a positive impact to the community. I am proud the SRC’s efforts in fostering relationships.

Skills to develop: The role helps with leadership, organisation, inclusivity to help people become their best.

After school goals: I would like to go to uni and pursue a career that helps others either as a teacher or physiotherapist.

Norwood International High School

Varshaa Raghuram Bose

Responsibilities: At Norwood International, the responsibilities of a school captain stretch over many different areas and aspects of the school. It involves being the bridge of communication between students and teachers, organising various events for the student body with a focus on student life, and representing the school at many conventions and out of school opportunities.

Reason for taking up the role: From a young age being in leadership was always a goal for me, from student council in primary school to managing at work, to now head prefect in year 12. I love meeting new people through making a difference in the community and it fosters that positive sense of accomplishment.

Skills to develop: Over the course of this year I hope to develop my responsibility and organisational skills while juggling school, work, and sport

After school goals: I am thinking of pursuing a university degree in international relations, which will enable me to travel the world. I am considering a future as a diplomat, representing the country abroad and working to maintain good relations with people in other countries. It also involves lots of travelling, which I am very excited about because I want to see new countries and experience different cultures.

Norwood International High School captains Varshaa Raghuram Bose and Connor D’Andrea.
Norwood International High School captains Varshaa Raghuram Bose and Connor D’Andrea.

Connor D’Andrea

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of being school captain here at Norwood International can be summed up by being an all-round role model and leader for my peers and prefect team. As a school captain it is also my responsibility to represent the student cohort on key issues within the school as well as communicate feedback and ideas from students to the rest of the school.

Reason for taking up the role: I put my hand up to be captain because I wanted to end my secondary schooling by attempting to make a positive difference in my school community, by helping to build on the welcoming and fun school environment, where students feel comfortable to be themselves while achieving their academic goals.

Skills to develop: The main skill that being a school captain will help me develop throughout the year is my communication skills. With further exposure to public speaking and communicating with staff and peers in a professional manner, this skill will develop exponentially. In addition to this, my leadership and decision-making skills will be tested and therefore built upon. These skills will be key to my future, as dealing with patients in a professional manner and making quick and confident decisions will be crucial.

After school goals: My long-term goal and career aspiration is to be an orthopaedic surgeon.

Lameroo Regional Community School

Lameroo Regional Community School captain Cyle Saplan.
Lameroo Regional Community School captain Cyle Saplan.

Cyle Saplan

Responsibilities: As SRC president, I play an active role in representing the student body and ensuring their voices are heard. I help lead and organise SRC meetings, contribute to discussions and decisions at governing council meetings as the student representative, and advocate for positive changes within the school. I also represent the student community at significant events such as Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, where I deliver speeches on behalf of the students.

Reason for taking up the role: I put my hand up for this role because I wanted to develop my leadership skills and gain experience in representing the student voice. I was also eager to learn how to run meetings effectively, support fellow SRC members, and work together as part of a team.

Skills to develop: Being school captain is helping me develop important skills such as leadership, responsibility, decision-making, and communication. This role is teaching me how to represent and support people.

After school goals: I want to apply for a university degree, this being Bachelor of Aviation, majoring in Piloting at Adelaide University. My goal is to become a commercial airline pilot.

Salisbury East High School

Mariam Ali Abubakar

Responsibilities: As a school captain, my main responsibilities include being a leader and leading by example, representing the students and my school, organising and participating in school activities, acting as a voice for students to communicate with staff, and working closely with staff and students to create a positive, safe, and inclusive school environment.

Reason for taking up the role: Having been in Australia for less than three years, I felt that my school had given me a sense of belonging, my school significantly helped me adapt to my new environment. I wanted to give back by leading in a way that would help other students feel the same way.

Skills to develop: It is teaching me how to communicate with different people by understanding their different perspectives, whether it is through addressing students’ concerns, working with teachers, or working with the student’s voice. These experiences are helping me build confidence in representing others.

After school goals: After school, I plan to do a double degree, a Bachelor of Law and a Bachelor of Psychology. I believe these two degrees will give me the foundation for a career in family law, where I can fulfil my passion for justice and helping people.

Salisbury East High School captains (back middle) Jackson Coaby and Mariam Ali Abubakar and deputy captains (left to right) Mikayla Harvey, Hollie Spencer, Storm Asikainen, and Halea Ahmadi.
Salisbury East High School captains (back middle) Jackson Coaby and Mariam Ali Abubakar and deputy captains (left to right) Mikayla Harvey, Hollie Spencer, Storm Asikainen, and Halea Ahmadi.

Jackson Coaby

Responsibilities: As a captain at Salisbury East High School, you are expected to be a leader and representative of the school and students. You are someone students can come to if they need when they are feeling distressed or have bright ideas for further improving our school.

Reason for taking up the role: I want to be someone that other students can look up to and learn from. Being a leader and a comfortable, caring person, and anyone can come and talk to, is also something that drove me to stepping up and becoming captain. I also wanted to reflect our school more within our community and put into action how we are reflected as a school. For example, I aspire to involve the school and represent the school at Anzac ceremonies and other community engagements.

Skills to develop: I believe being school captain will give me the confidence and leadership capabilities of being able to speak out and represent myself and others.

After school goals: Post school I aspire to work in sport and health, preferably as a doctor or physiotherapist who can work alongside athletes and teams within professional environments. Eventually, it would be a dream to eventually branch out through my own business, giving back to my community through treating health.

Wudinna Area School

Wudinna Area School SRC president Rebecca Sampson.
Wudinna Area School SRC president Rebecca Sampson.

Rebecca Sampson

Responsibilities: Be a role model for all other students. Be a person students can confidently speak to. Have good relationships with staff to achieve student body goals.

Reason for taking up the role: To better my leadership skills and to support the student body. I feel useful to the school community and I allow students to have a voice.

Skills to develop: I am involved in students’ education experience and I develop leadership qualities, public speaking skills and connections. 

After school goals: Study primary teaching in Adelaide and then in the future maybe leadership at a school.

Unley High School

Lachlan Pfitzner

Responsibilities: Head prefects at Unley High School are a vital link between students and staff, bringing the voice of students to meetings and committees. We spearhead the implementation of many different projects within the school and we also host whole school assemblies, award ceremonies, and community events.

Reason for taking up the role: I have been in Unley High School’s Student Voice Council since I began high school in 2021 and every single year I have been in awe of our school’s head prefects. Without fail, past head prefects have always been such compassionate, intelligent and capable people that are always willing to help. These past head prefects continuously inspired me to do better and to be better.

Skills to develop: These experiences have ultimately improved my communication and confidence ability, because if I haven’t got my ideas across clearly, then there is little hope of causing change. Continuing to develop these skills whilst being head prefect will hopefully allow me to achieve my career aspirations.

After school goals: After school I am hoping to be accepted into the medicine program at either Adelaide University or Flinders University, although my work experience at SAHMRI really ignited an interest in medical research as well.

Unley High School captains Lachlan and Karina. Picture: Cormac Lee.
Unley High School captains Lachlan and Karina. Picture: Cormac Lee.

Karina Heinson

Responsibilities: At Unley High School the head prefects are responsible for implementing and organising a range of projects and initiatives to engage the student body and broader community. These include cultural days, fundraiser and awareness events and the promotion of student run clubs and extra-curricular activities.

Reason for taking up the role: I have enjoyed fantastic sporting, debating and leadership careers at Unley High School over the past five years. The teamwork, public speaking and problem solving skills I developed in this time have enriched and shaped my life in so many ways; I put my hand up to be head prefect because I wanted to give back to the communities which have given me so much.

Skills to develop: As head prefect, I am developing a greater understanding of how ideas translate into procedure. This is especially important to the implementation of student initiatives, events, and community outreach programs, which all make the school a more inclusive and welcoming space.

After school goals: After school I want to pursue a double degree in international relations and politics, philosophy and economics at the Australian National University. I want to work in international policy making and geopolitical research. I am especially interested in language preservation, empowering women, and science driven climate action.

Port Lincoln High School

Sophie Lang

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of being a school captain include leading as a respectful and responsible role model for the student body, providing a voice for all students and to help improve the school for students’ optimal learning conditions and environment.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and give a voice to students who may not feel like they are necessarily represented.

Skills to develop: As a school captain I am developing leadership, greater problem solving, communication, time management, organisation, resilience and team collaboration.

After school goals: After school I am going to attend Adelaide University and complete a major in creative writing and a minor in French studies. I want to go into a career within the publishing industry. Whether that is becoming a literary agent, an editor, or a production manager – I am interested in a field centralised to book publishing.

Port Lincoln High School captains Sophie Lang and Liam Akehurst.
Port Lincoln High School captains Sophie Lang and Liam Akehurst.

Liam Akehurst

Responsibilities: As school captain, my role is to represent the student body, promote school spirit and be a positive role model. With my other fellow captain, we lead student council, host assembles, and work closely with staff and governing council to ensure everyone is represented.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to be school captain because I have a passion for leadership and teamwork. This role gives me the chance to make a real impact, support my peers, and develop my own leadership capabilities.

Skills to develop: As school captain I am exposed to several different experiences that teach me essential leadership skills like communication, teamwork, and decision-making. I’m learning how to manage multiple responsibilities, work under pressure and collaborate with different people, all of which will be valuable in my future career.

After school goals: After school I hope to become an engineer in the Defence Force, as it aligns with my strengths and interests in leadership, problem-solving, and helping others. I want to be in a role where I can continue to inspire, lead and develop my skills whist also having a positive impact.

Henley High School

Henley High School captain Jai Gardner.
Henley High School captain Jai Gardner.

Jai Gardner

Responsibilities: The responsibilities of a prefect are the be a role model for all students, uphold the school values and run assemblies among other things. As the head prefect I have the further responsibility of reporting to the governing council. Personally, I also am a member of the governing council subcommittees.

Reason for taking up the role: I put my hand up to be a prefect as I wanted to get more out of my time at school, that being, gaining valuable experience in the form of leadership.

Skills to develop: The main skills which I have and will continue to develop is teamwork, leadership, communication (specifically public speaking), empathy.

After school goals: I want to go to university and become a paramedic.

Urrbrae Agricultural High School

Jack Wallis

Responsibilities: Run student council, host assemblies, be someone people can talk to.

Reason for taking up the role: I love my school and the people in the year level, so I wanted to represent us to the highest standard possible.

Skills to develop: Public speaking, negotiation, teamwork, taking criticism.

After school goals: I am in uni through early entry I will be studying psychology and criminology. I am hoping to work as a court appointed psychologist.

Urrbrae Agricultural High School captains Jack and Ottilie.
Urrbrae Agricultural High School captains Jack and Ottilie.

Ottilie

Responsibilities: Urrbrae takes student leadership very seriously, so being school captain is a big responsibility. Duties include running fortnightly SRC meetings, MC’ing whole school assemblies and being team leader at the Learning Centre for the Royal Adelaide Show.

Reason for taking up the role: I self-nominated for the role of school captain because I recognised what an amazing opportunity it was to improve my leadership skills, organisation, and public speaking.

Skills to develop: One thing I didn’t expect to be practising so much in this role is writing and editing, so far most of my role has been writing speeches and emails!

After school goals: I think I will begin my tertiary education right away, starting at Flinders University in March next year. I’m trying not to put too much pressure on myself this year about my ATAR, I know that I will do my absolute best and whatever score I get will be okay. I know that whatever career I have I want to be working with people and have a positive impact on their lives. I’m aiming for a career in allied health, specifically occupational therapy.

Adelaide Botanic High School

Ella Raftery

Responsibilities: Currently at ABHS, we do not have school captains but instead a leadership program called Synergy. This program involves all year levels in the school and students have a variety of responsibilities throughout the years. The program starts in year 7 and is provided to all students. The last strand of Synergy which is the one I am in now is called Legacy. Just like its name, this is how we pass down our specific projects we have been working on to younger years, to keep its legacy.

Reason for taking up the role: I originally joined Synergy in my first year of high school, which at the time was year 8. I was quite heavily involved in leadership through my primary school. From this I knew it was already something that I wanted to continue and grow in. I also found it a way to give back to not only the school but also the broader community, which is why I decided to have my main focus on fundraisers.

Skills to develop: Being part of the leadership has not only taught me important skills but also about myself. I have put a lot of work and effort to make events and proposal for certain things, which have not gone as planned or been shot down. This has then built up my resilience as a person and has taught me to only bounce back stronger, which is something that is definitely will be needed. Along with this I have also built up my confidence as an individual.

After school goals: Currently I am hoping to go to university next year and study paramedicine to become a paramedic.

Adelaide Botanic High School captain Ella Raftery.
Adelaide Botanic High School captain Ella Raftery.
Adelaide Botanic High School captain Lily Jacobs.
Adelaide Botanic High School captain Lily Jacobs.

Lily Jacobs

Responsibilities: Those in student leadership positions at Adelaide Botanic work on a variety of projects, such as fundraising, initiatives which improve student life and wellbeing, schoolwide events and activities, and more. Student leaders are responsible for exhibiting the school’s DNA and representing the values of community, curiosity, and excellence.

Reason for taking up the role: I have always had a passion for leadership and creating change in my community. I chose to put my hand up to be involved with school leadership to create opportunities to represent the voices of students and make an impact within the school.

Skills to develop: It has taught me initiative, dedication, and to continue working towards what I believe in. Student leadership opportunities have also provided me with critical communication strategies that I can continue to apply in the future, which will help me continuously collaborate with those around me respectfully and effectively.

After school goals: I plan on attending university to get a degree in science/medicine as I would like to be a doctor.

Mitcham Girls High School

Sukriti Sharma

Responsibilities: The members of our group (seven student leaders) are role models who represent the student body, working with students and staff to develop and plan events for our school community.

Reason for taking up the role: I wanted to take on a leadership role that would enable me to make a difference in our school by creating an environment where each student gets a say.

Skills to develop: Being a captain has developed my confidence and public speaking skills as we work with other students and staff.

After school goals: I would like to go to university to study mechanical engineering. I am considering working as an aerospace engineer in the future.

Ella Kamau Kigotho

Responsibilities: As an all-girls school this is a place for women to explore and try new things without any negative stigmas. As a woman in sport myself I encourage my peers to explore in an encouraging and supportive environment like Mitcham Girls.

Reason for taking up the role: I volunteered for this role to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. As a black woman growing up I found it hard to find a place where I fit in, and wanted to help create that space for my peers to belong.

Skills to develop: As a school captain I have furthered my communication skills, problem solving ability as well as leadership skills which will help me in the work force to communicate in group environments proactively and effectively.

After school goals: After school I plan to study architecture however, I am unsure as to where that exploration will lead me.

Mitcham Girls High School captains (L-R) Madeleine Schiller, Evie O'Connor, Ella Kamau Kigotho, Sukriti Sharma, Georgia Percival, Scarlett Wells, Lauren Riley.
Mitcham Girls High School captains (L-R) Madeleine Schiller, Evie O'Connor, Ella Kamau Kigotho, Sukriti Sharma, Georgia Percival, Scarlett Wells, Lauren Riley.

Scarlett Wells

Responsibilities: My role is to foster a sense of belonging among students to strengthen our school culture, through the organisation and running of initiatives such as school clubs, in-school community events and the school fete.

Reason for taking up the role: I have always looked up to the girls who help lead our school and I wanted to be able to give back to this amazing community, as well as guide and support the younger cohorts.

Skills to develop: I have developed various skills such as leadership, effective communication, organisation, problem-solving and emotional intelligence.

After school goals: After school I hope to study a Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) at Adelaide University. I want to work in the allied health industry as a pediatric speech pathologist. Alternatively, I’m also interested in occupational therapy or physiotherapy.

Lauren Riley

Responsibilities: Although I am specifically assigned to the community aspect, as an executive I can apply my skills to all of the roles, allowing myself to be a voice for others and help to build our school culture.

Reason for taking up the role: I have always aspired to be a year 12 executive, their long-lasting impact and innovative ideas are what keeps our school growing and evolving. When I found out that we were going to brainstorm a new initiative to replace the SRC, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team.

Skills to develop: I am developing my communication, collaboration, teamwork, and adaptability skills. Working closely with a team means that we can bounce our ideas off of each other and adapt to each of our suggestions.

After school goals: I want to go to university and study either a bachelor in primary education, or nutrition and dietetics. I would also love to audition for different full-time dance studios around Australia to pursue my passion for dance. Since I was five years old, I have wanted to be a primary school teacher, but recently I have been looking into being a dietitian.

Madeleine Schiller

Responsibilities: The entire purpose of having student leaders is to provide the student body with opportunities to grow, and a chance to have a voice and say in how the school is run.

Reason for taking up the role: I found that I really enjoyed the fact that I was challenging myself, developing skills, gaining knowledge, growing as a person, and genuinely loved being able to help people in my own way

Skills to develop: There’s skills involved in being a leader of people, so being organised,

planning and running meetings or events, leading a group to get work done, getting my own work done, public speaking, and working as part of a group with other people.

After school goals: After school plans are still foggy; so many unforeseen challenges have interrupted any ideas or aspirations in different ways; but I’m an incredibly curious person, I particularly love history and the anthropological view on how we have always been human. Maybe a I’ll be a scientific researcher, or working in humanities, I’ve also thought about teaching – my ideas are all over the place.

Evie O’Connor

Responsibilities: My main goal is to perform great communication across all student leaders and staff, particularly when advocating for student concerns and organising the twilight fete.

Reason for taking up the role: I believed I could help improve in aspects such as time management and communication.

Skills to develop: During most assemblies, we will likely have to speak, boosting my confidence and public-speaking skills.

After school goals: I would like to go to university to study mathematics or geospatial information systems. However, I am not completely set on that and is likely to change as the year progresses. If I do complete the mathematics degree, I would love to become a data analyst or meteorologist. If I do the GIS degree at Flinders University, I could become a GIS data co-ordinator or spatial information officer.

Georgia Percival

Responsibilities: I consult with students and staff on student concerns and advocate for changes within our school environment for the benefit of our school and wider community.

Reason for taking up the role: I am also a crew trainer at McDonald’s, which has helped to foster my love for leadership, working within a team, and making a difference in my wider community.

Skills to develop: As a year 12 executive I am developing many leadership qualities including effective communication, organisation, compassion and emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.

After school goals: After school I would like to study a Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) at UniSA or Doctor of Medicine at University of Adelaide or Flinders University. I want to become a pediatric radiation therapist or a pediatric oncologist.

Originally published as Class of 2025: Meet the student captains leading South Australia’s Top 100 Public High Schools

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/education/regions/south-australia/class-of-2025-meet-the-student-captains-leading-south-australias-top-100-public-high-schools/news-story/95769304b3f0aec813041d02d0d6d81d