What do you hope to accomplish in your role as Captain this year?

During the numerous lockdowns in 2021 we missed out on connecting with the younger Year levels. With the responsibility of running the Art Club, along with my Co-Captain, I am hoping to create a fun and inclusive environment for all Year levels to enjoy during lunchtimes, allowing creativity to thrive and a relaxing setting to make friends and chat with girls outside of established friendship groups.

How did you become interested in a student leadership role?

Throughout my school ‘career’, I have always looked up to the Year 12 leaders. I have always told myself that no matter how little time you have left, you shouldn’t let it go to waste. What better way to step out of my comfort zone than apply for Art and Design Captain! This role, for me was like a perfect match. I was attracted to how it will enable me to challenge myself, while simultaneously allowing me to share my love and passion for art.

What are the key responsibilities of your captaincy role?

The key responsibilities associated with Art and Design Captain include running Art Club every Tuesday lunchtime, along with extra activities or initiatives, whether they be long or short term. My Co-Captain and I are expected to demonstrate leadership, organisation and be a role model for younger students.

Do you think COVID-19, and the last two years of Learn@Home will influence your leadership role this year?

Throughout the various lockdowns as students weren’t allowed to leave their homes and put a halt on most, if not all initiatives associated with being an Art and Design Captain. However, with the perseverance and flexibility demonstrated by the 2020 and 2021 Art and Design Captains, it gives me immense hope on how Scarlett (my Art and Design Co-Captain) and I can deal with any impending challenges. These past two years have taught me to not take even the smaller things for granted and as of yet, it seems as though next year will be the most back to ‘normal’ we can get. Which gives me hope that most of our role can be on campus, surrounded by a diverse environment full of creative minds. Being stuck inside for such a prolonged period of time only encourages my enthusiasm for next year more and I cannot wait for what is to come.

What is one word that best describes the kind of leader you would like to be?

Kind (I hope!)

Describe the most enjoyable aspect of being part of St Catherine’s Co-curricular activities?

I was mainly involved in the co-curricular activities Netball, Footy and the Art Club. I also really enjoyed painting the sets for any productions anytime I could help out. In these co-curricular activities, the sense of teamwork without any sense of pressure to achieve a specific goal. In sport, our coaches always congratulated us whether we won the game or not and without this expectation to win, as a team we thrived and had fun mucking around all while being able to cohesively work well with each other. In art related activities, especially painting the sets, we were told what the basis of the stimulus or subject matter to be and given free reigns to paint, draw or create whatever we desired. Having the outlet to let creativity run free and being part of a team whose number one goal was to have fun is definitely the most enjoyable aspect of being part of a St Catherine’s co-curricular activity and something I can always remember.

What is one quality a good leader needs to have?

The most important quality a good leader can have is the ability to make everyone feel included. As a leader it is your responsibility not only to speak, but to listen. One of the worst feelings, I believe, is to feel excluded, and in initiatives and activities involved with being a captain, all students should feel comfortable and welcome to participate and enjoy themselves.

What is one thing you would like to take from the experience of being a Captain once you graduate from St Catherine’s School in 2022?

At every last assembly for the Year 12s, they tell us how quickly their entire schooling experience went and while we roll our eyes and say ‘yeah, yeah’ to our friend sitting next to us. But now, at the end of Year 11 it’s absolutely nerve wracking to admit I only have one year of school left. With the responsibility of being an Art and Design Captain, when I walk out of the school gates for the last time, I want to be able to say I didn’t take one second for granted. Soaking everything in, allowing myself to live in the moment and connect with everyone I meet along the way.