As St Catherine’s School Co-Captains for 2025, Rachel and Vinuki are passionate about fostering a strong sense of community, courage, and empowerment among their peers. This week, they share their aspirations for the year ahead, their thoughts on leadership, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. From embracing student voice to celebrating achievements, they offer inspiring insights into what it means to lead with empathy, resilience, and pride.

Rachel 

What does being a Co-Captain of St Catherine’s mean to you, and how do you hope to leave your mark on the school community this year? 

Being School Co-Captain at St Catherine’s is the honour and privilege of a lifetime and not an achievement many are able to boast. The St Catherine’s School community means so much to me, and one I have been a part of for the majority of my life. It is such a rare and beautiful community, and this legacy of sisterhood is most certainly one I strive for and want to maintain in my tenure as School Co-Captain. Alongside my student executive and leadership team, I hope to further connect the whole school as one and ultimately spread the pride and love my Year 12 cohort has for this school and spread it throughout the entire community. 

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to younger students about finding their voice and stepping into leadership roles? 

The main piece of advice I would give to younger students would be to embrace making mistakes. Stepping into this leadership, one thing I have learned to really appreciate is that it is okay to make mistakes. There is often this idea that leaders have to be perfect. However, whilst it is important for a leader to showcase her strength, it can be equally important for a leader to showcase her vulnerability and acceptance that perfection does not exist. 

As young women stepping into leadership, how do you hope to inspire others—both within and beyond our school community? 

As young women stepping into leadership, I hope to inspire the others to truly have the courage to step up for themselves and have no shame in celebrating their achievements. I think as young women we can feel as though our achievements aren’t good enough or that there is always something more we can do. So, in 2025, I really want my peers to take a moment and appreciate everything little thing they accomplish, no matter how big or small. 

What are the things you like to do outside of school that help you relax and give you a nice balance with studies and school commitments? 

One thing I like to do outside of school is to read and listen to music. I am currently reading Phil Jackson’s book Eleven Rings, and it is all about his success as a player and coach in the NBA. He talks about his approach to mindfulness coaching and shares some really valuable insights on leadership and teamwork. I love reading people’s biographies, especially musicians, as I always find it so interesting hearing about other people’s stories and perspectives. 

Vinuki 

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

With the role of School Co-Captain, I ultimately hope to continue to cultivate a positive, compassionate and close-knit community, one with a culture of caring and togetherness. I hope to continue to foster courage within St Catherine’s girls to put their hands up for new opportunities, whilst instilling an instinct to be bold and tackle challenges as they are presented with them.  

From the moment I joined St Catherine’s I was embraced by community, love and support and I want every St Catherine’s girl to experience this same sense of belonging. I therefore hope to continue to nurture, drive and cultivate the positivity that radiates from our school. I truly believe that a huge part of enhancing this feeling of belonging, directly correlates to Student VOICE and therefore endeavour to place further emphasis on current initiatives whilst also extending on them.  

How did you become interested in a student leadership role?    

Undertaking leadership has always intrigued me, even from a young age. Like every blue-eyed primary school kid, the idea of ‘ruling the school’ was a clear motivator to run for junior captaincies. However, even back then, my dream to fulfil a student leadership role ran much deeper. I wanted to be a worthy role model for my peers. I wanted to give back to the school and people I loved so dearly. I wanted to be someone who had a positive impact on those around them. Six years on, these motivators still ignite my passion for this pursuit.  

I vividly remember watching my first assembly at St Catherine’s and in that moment, my dream from primary school, to adopt a role of leadership, was reignited stronger than ever. I have always had a desire to nurture, guide, and support those around me, and therefore undertaking leadership has always been a dream and passion of mine.  

What are the key responsibilities of being School Captain?  

There are many key responsibilities, but one I feel that takes priority is spreading positivity. As Rachel and I fulfil our duties as School Co-Captains, we are simultaneously assuming our positions as role models of the school and therefore together play a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the school. This therefore entails being approachable, passionate and empathetic. Additionally, I aspire to represent the School Values of Empathy, Perseverance and Gratitude whilst embodying what it means to be a St Catherine’s girl. 

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

Empowering.

I personally find this to be a daunting word as it encompasses so much. To empower, feels like a big task, something we witness historical figures accomplishing. But for me, I hope to be remembered for empowering those around me, even if it is in a way that diverts from the conventional heroic form of empowerment. I simply want to uplift those around me, encourage confidence and inspire my peers to strive for success. As a leader, I aim to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported and encouraged in their respective journeys, goals and aspirations. I truly believe that empowerment and knowing that someone has faith in you is a recipe for confidence and subsequent success, and something everyone deserves to experience.  

Describe the most enjoyable aspects of being part of St Catherine’s School?    

Without question it is the people. Whether it be the teachers, the students, or any of the other staff, it is the people at this school which makes St Catherine’s so special. Never have I been immersed in a community rooted so deeply in love, care and utmost respect, and it is these qualities that brighten our school environment, fill our classrooms with life and character, and overall make each of our schooling experiences one to cherish.  

What is one quality a good leader needs to have?    

Empathy. 

I believe a crucial quality of effective leadership is empathy. A true leader assumes their role with the primary goal of improving the experience of others and in order to accomplish this, one needs to be able to understand the needs, concerns and emotions others have. Empathy is therefore crucial in order to build strong relationships, foster trust and essential in forging unity and collaboration.  

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

Pinpointing one thing I hope to take away from this opportunity is fairly impossible, because I hope to soak up every second of this journey. Whether it be a moment with my peers or my role models, or whilst immersing myself in one of the many new experiences I will have the privilege of undertaking, I hope to grow from each encounter. 2025 will be a year of extra learning, overcoming challenges and becoming a better version of myself, and I hope to carry each and every lesson I learn along the way with me for the rest of my life.