Leadership Conference 2023 – what a fabulous way to begin the school year for our Year 12 Cohort. 

The Conference began with a light breakfast in the beautiful Jamie and Rebecca Gray Theatre, enjoyed by our Year 12 Cohort, their parents and staff. The relaxed format was a wonderful way to start Year 12 and for the students to come together after their summer holidays. 

During the breakfast event our Class of 2023 were inspired by Guest Presenter, Linden Hall, an Australian Olympic athlete. Linden themed her speech around the parallels of preparing for an Olympics and Year 12. This was an interesting comparison, with Linden drawing on her experiences to demonstrate there is so much preparation, organisation and highs and lows to navigate in an Olympic year and during a student’s final year of school. 

Our Year 12s then set off to Ormond College, University of Melbourne for the two-day overnight Leadership Conference. Upon arrival Mr James Brown, Student Leadership Project Leader, spoke to the students regarding their leadership aspirations for the year. We spent the two days workshopping what this would look like for the 2023 Cohort.  

Our 2023 School Co-Captains, Flora Du and Ava Colosimo led the student body with some well-received activities and discussions, culminating in the cohesive decision of selecting the theme for 2023: Conquer. 

We began the second morning with a walk around the grounds of The University of Melbourne, visiting several areas. The students began to see that this might be their reality in 2024 or even in years to come. After this we enjoyed a beautiful grassed area under some eucalyptus trees and joined in some outdoor yoga. It was a lovely way to stretch, relax and enjoy some early morning meditation. 

Throughout the Leadership Conference the Year 12s heard from several Old Girls who shared their individual stories, inspiring our Class of 2023 to consider the possibilities that await them once they leave the Heyington Gates. We thank the following Old Girls who kindly gave up their time to be a part of our Leadership Conference this year: 

• Miss Phoebe Gardner (‘11), Co-Founder and CEO of start-up company, Bardee which aims to reshape the global food system. 
• Miss Jessica Martin (‘13), Optometrist, who at a relatively young age owns and manages two eye-clinics in rural Victoria.  
• Miss Clementine (Cece) Newton-Brown (‘21, School Co-Captain). As a recent Year 12 student, Cece shared strategies she used to navigate her way through Year 12. Many of the Years 12s took her wise words on board and have set up similar routines. 

These three presenters, along with Principal, Michelle Carroll, offered valuable insights and inspiration for our Year 12 students. All of which will assist them in determining the individual journeys they wish to travel this year and beyond.  

The Leadership Conference was a wonderful way to ease into what can be a challenging year. However, it can also be a year where the girls take control of their learning, set their destiny and triumph.  

2023 is a year to look forward to. It is a year filled with achievements, personal growth, forged friendships, and a sense of excitement for all the experiences that await them. 

Some reflections on the Leadership Conference from our Year 12 Cohort are provided below: 

“I really enjoyed the Leadership Conference, particularly hearing from the guest speakers about their experiences at School and what they have done since graduating. It was also a great opportunity to get back into a school-like environment before going back to School. Overall, it created a smooth transition between the freedom of summer holidays and the regimented routine of the school term.” Tahlia Guzzardi 

“The Leadership Conference was a great way to start the year and establish our vision for 2023 as a Cohort. The Conference also allowed us to ease into the busy year ahead and do different activities that we may not have had time to do otherwise before exams.” Charlotte Rodgers 

“The Year 12 Leadership Conference was a wonderful way to kickstart our exciting year ahead. The two days and one night spent together consolidated our united vision, reminding each one of us of the leadership roles and responsibilities we have this year. The time spent together, undoubtedly, was beneficial to all of us collectively, and individually. While the core memories of Year 12s are of our schooling and the events that unfold during the year, this Conference at Melbourne University will always be a fond memory of mine.” Flora Du

“The Year 12 Leadership Conference was a perfect way to wrap up the 2022-2023 summer holidays and ease back into the routines and daily life of school! From different activities such as deciding our word of the year, ‘Conquer,’ as well as eating in the beautiful dining hall that looked like it came out of Hogwarts, it was an unforgettable Conference. It allowed us to bond as a Year level before we began our last year of School together.” Kaitlin Chan 

“The Leadership Conference was a great way to begin the year, without being surrounded by the stress of beginning Year 12 content. It was a great environment for everyone to reconvene after the summer break. It also provided us with insightful life lessons from various Old Girls regarding their experiences in Year 12 and post-graduation successes.” Mietta Passon 

“I thought the Leadership Conference was a nice way to start the final year of School. It gave us all a chance to catch up with one another without being in a school environment. I thought our Year level got closer by the end of it, even though it was only two days. The speakers were great, and I thought that bringing in a few Old Girls was really good.” Olivia (Livvy) Howitt 

“I found the Leadership Conference to be a good way to get to know the Cohort. I was able to better understand how we will work together as a group this year. It made me really look forward to the year ahead.” Phoebe Russell 

“I really enjoyed the Leadership Conference as it allowed me to have some fun with my friends before the busy year ahead. I also liked hearing all the guest speakers and their experiences and how they got to where they are today.” Anise Imam 

“The Year 12 Leadership Conference was extremely beneficial for the preparation of embarking on our Year 12 journey. Not only did the activities get us thinking about the legacy we want to leave but also allowed us to create a deeper connection with our Cohort.” Lucia Tabbagh