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

Before I was elected as a Davis House Captain, I questioned the difference I could make. I am definitely not the fastest runner or best swimmer – qualities I thought a House Captain would need. However, although I may not be the best at sport in Davis, I have never allowed that to stop me from participating in all House events.

As a House Captain, I soon realised it does not actually matter who is the fastest individually, but rather how enthusiastic Davis is as a whole. I want every girl to know they belong and feel confident enough to try everything Davis offers.

When I look back at my most memorable moments being in Davis, it was not the individual achievements Davis has had, but rather the sense of community fostered at every House event. I hope to encourage all girls to show up, try their best but most importantly have fun!

The best part about being in Davis is the small, tight-knit community our past Captains have been able to foster, and I hope to continue this legacy. It is an amazing feeling seeing girls so excited to represent their House. I hope to encourage this spirit in everything I do as House Captain.

How did you become interested in a student leadership role?

Having sat through countless House meetings, I always had such admiration for the House Captains who at the time seemed so grown up and cool.

Their encouraging and enthusiastic energy radiated beyond House events, and even just a simple hello in the corridors had such a huge impact on Year 7 me. As we progressed through the years, and soon my Year level became the “grown-ups,” I knew I wanted to have that same impact on the younger years.

I am excited by the opportunity to make a difference and cannot wait to see what Davis has to bring in 2022!

What are the key responsibilities of being a House Captain?

I believe the number one role I have as a House Captain is to be encouraging!

It sounds so simple but it honestly is so important in creating a warm and welcoming House culture. From the opportunities Sarah and I have already had to lead Davis, it has been about cheering on the younger Year levels, finding ways to encourage participation, and even quite literally jumping up and down during House Arts trying to make every girl sing with that little bit more enthusiasm!

Of course, I want Davis to succeed and win at House events, but this only comes from motivated and inspired girls supporting and backing these efforts. As House Captain, I want to help every girl see their importance to Davis as a whole and the combined efforts everyone is making to sustain the Davis spirit.

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

After two years of COVID restrictions, I feel Davis has missed out on the opportunity to build the strong connections that make us such a close-knit House.

Of course, it was great to still maintain some of that House spirit online, but being back at School and seeing each other in-person, it has become even more evident how much every Davis girl has missed being able to connect with each other, especially girls in other Year levels.

Sarah and I are really keen to encourage more intra Year-level bonding. It is something so important to building a strong and positive Davis culture that we have missed as a result of being behind a screen.

I am excited by the opportunity to get to know every girl in Davis, and I know the rest of the Year 12 Cohort feel the same way, especially after two years of being limited. I will be making an extra effort to connect with everyone.

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

Approachable.

Describe the most enjoyable aspect of being part of a House?

The community! To be honest, when I first came to School I did not think about my House much – it was simply another aspect of school life.

However, very quickly I realised Davis is a family where everyone belongs and is valued. There is something so special about seeing a flood of red at House events and knowing that it is where I belong.

Although St Catherine’s is a small school, it is rare that we get the opportunity to really get to know people from other Year levels. Davis is such a small House, I feel everyone really gets to connect with one another and create bonds they may not have ever discovered otherwise!

What is one quality a good leader needs to have?

I think a good leader needs to be collaborative and inclusive of everyone. Being a House Captain, I know Sarah and I are supported by all of the Year 12s in Davis. They are just as enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to lead Davis together. Being able to listen and collaborate with all the Year 12s has already been so imperative to the role, and I know the younger girls also benefit from seeing so many Year 12s excited to lead and mentor them!

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

When I graduate, I hope to look back and know I have helped create and maintain the incredible House culture which is so unique to Davis.

When Sarah and I first received our Davis jackets – a memento passed down from Davis Captains year after year, I was so inspired to see the names of captains dating back to before I was even born!

Seeing girls who year after year had inspired me and were big-sister figures to me during my school years, I knew I wanted to continue the Davis legacy of being supportive, and I hope when graduating, I will feel like I too have been able to make a difference.

Davis is not just a House, it is a family. Every girl has the ability to go far and I hope to show everyone that they play an important role in making Davis such a close-knit and welcoming community. Go Davis!

Maddie Farrer
Davis House Co-Captain

◊

What do you hope to accomplish in your role as House Captain this year?
In 2022, I wish to build on the Davis family culture and work hard to be inclusive, raise participation rates and hopefully our success rate too!

I would seek to motivate the Davis girls by discussing the history of Davis and past House competition performance, workshop targets for 2022 and how to achieve them. The Co-captains need to build the framework to set Davis up for the year. However, in COVID times we need to be flexible and anticipating pivot points at any time!

I would also ensure the Davis portal page is regularly updated with an annual calendar and detailed information about upcoming House events so Davis girls can easily access all information and not book appointments on event days!

I believe it is important to quickly get to know all Davis new girls and Year 7s. We need to make sure everyone feels welcome and part of the Davis family. We need to learn everyone’s skills, specialties and encourage girls to nominate themselves!

How did you become interested in a student leadership role?
Ever since 3-year-old ELC at St Catherine’s School I always looked up to the “big girls” and I saw how influential they were. I really enjoyed the camaraderie and atmosphere within the School that all student leaders demonstrated. This inspired me to contribute to this fun atmosphere by expressing my interest in student leadership roles.

What are the key responsibilities of being a House Captain?
I see the role of the Davis Co-Captains as having four main parts:

• To SET a clear VISION for Davis for the year by explaining the history and past performance of Davis, as well as detailing what each House event involves.
• LEAD, INSPIRE, GUIDE and MENTOR all Davis girls, especially those who are new to the Senior School and Davis.
• Be the link between teachers, School and the House leadership group and Davis girls.
• Be super ORGANISED and anticipate what may occur and the unexpected (even more necessary in COVID times).

Specifically, Davis Co-Captains are required to lead House meetings, inform Davis girls about upcoming House events and work closely with staff regarding such events.

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

COVID has changed the world so much, and for so many. It has demanded that we be flexible, resilient and to expect the unexpected at any time. There have been many disappointments, but we need to be positive, be prepared for anything, be incredibly grateful for what we have, for what we have achieved, and give 100% at all events and opportunities that are held.

Being able to adapt will definitely influence my leadership role this year as it will allow me, on House Event days, to quickly change the team/plan if a student is unable to attend at the last minute.

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

Energetic!

Describe the most enjoyable aspect of being part of a House? 

I have been in Davis for 12 years. Davis is made up of the best people in the whole School! We are a family, always there for one another, whether we are winning or losing House events, creating or rehearsing for House Arts, or simply mentoring each other through our School life. Being part of Davis has taught me resilience and perseverance along with the importance of celebrating success as our results in House events over the years have been mixed!

What is one quality a good leader needs to have? 

I believe a good leader needs to be able to uphold the School Value of Empathy to ensure they support their fellow House girls and help them with anything. Personally, I love mentoring and helping other students. As I move through the School I love being sought out by younger girls for a chat or advice – whether to locate a classroom, insight, sport strategy or just to chat.

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

I wish to create everlasting memories with my Co-Captain Maddie, as well as the Davis House that can encapsulate the positive and fun environment at St Catherine’s School. I also wish to take any lessons I learn from my captain experience and use it in my future years of sport and education.

Is there anything you would like to add? 

I believe the Co-curricular opportunities that St Catherine’s offer have really shaped me into the person I am today. Whether that be through Rowing improving my grit and ability to perform under pressure, or completing my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award and giving back to the community. I would encourage Davis girls to participate in all that is on offer to complement academic pursuits and to add to their time and memories of St Catherine’s.

Sarah Marriott
Davis House Co-Captain