Year 9 Student Leader: Maya S

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?
To be a servant leader, you must be able to work well under pressure and do all that you possibly can to achieve your goal. Communication is key to this, if you do not report, recount and relay your ideas to those around you, nothing will get done. Servant leadership is more than just following directions and completing what you are told to do, it’s also expressing your ideas and addressing new ways to solve problems.

Q2. Why did you want to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team?
I have always liked helping those around me and looking at the bigger picture, student leadership is a way for me to get out into the college community and make a direct difference in students’ lives. Those that are a part of student leadership all share the same goals and each offer unique ideas and solutions. You get to surround yourself with those that are like-minded and want to make an impact.

Q3. What is your role in the leadership team? And what are your responsibilities?
My role in the leadership team is one of the many Year 9 Student Leaders. As I am a senior leader, I look to teach and guide younger student leaders and help them to achieve their highest possible potential. I conduct college tours, make student bulletins, put up flags and attend weekly meetings (along with any other short-notice requests).

Q4. What is a goal you would like to achieve this year in the leadership team?
I want to prepare younger students that are interested in leadership and help mould them into future leaders that our world needs. Who knows, maybe one day somebody that I worked with on student leadership will grow to become Prime Minister of Australia or a heart doctor, and I would be honoured to maybe be the tiniest reason that they got to where they were. There is always room for improvement, even for the group that makes the improvements. Our goal is to constantly develop how we operate as a group. In Mr Madigan’s famous words that are frequently tossed around in meetings, if better is possible, good is not enough.

Q5. What is the legacy you wish to leave behind?
In 10 years, when I have long finished my schooling, chances are nobody will remember who I am, but they will remember the things that I have brought to the table as a leader and the ways that I have proposed in making this school better, for them. I don’t want to simply be remembered as a member of the student leadership team, but as someone that chose to take the high, hard road instead of the typical, simple one.

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals on the leadership team that you are passionate about? Is there something new that you would like to introduce?
Myself, along with Zalaika F, Celina A and Taylah B have been working hard to create and propose a Year 9 Dance for our cohort. Apart from the generous help of Ms Mattar in the Social Justice Team working alongside us for catering, we have formed costs, details and ironed out the kinks all ourselves to bring forward our proposal to the board of leaders in our college. As student leaders, we are the voice of our peers and are given the opportunity to have discussions with the higher levels of leadership in our school. The creators and I of the proposal are excited about this possibility and are eager to present it and hopefully place the gears in motion!

Year 9 Student Leader: Zalaika F

Q1. What does servant leadership mean to you?
As a member of the Student Leadership team, to me, servant leadership means to value others before myself. To think selflessly and think with a mindset in hopes of benefitting other's wellbeing's and hopes. To me it means to serve others and place other's (in this case this college) best interests at heart and as a main priority.

Q2. Why did you want to be a part of the 2022 student leadership team?
The reason I wanted to be a part of this year's Student Leadership Team was to make an impactful difference to this college, in hopes of influencing a fresh start and new beginning from the isolation the college community (in particular) was put through. My aim is to try and influence ideas and goals that strive to form a communal and bonded college community and year level cohort, in hopes of bringing this school together.

Q3. What is your role in the leadership team? And what are your responsibilities?
As part of the Student Leadership Team, I am one of the Year Nine student leaders. My responsibility is to represent my year level for the good that it is, whilst being a voice for my fellow classmates. I speak, present and influence ideas in my year level's best interests, whilst also acting and assisting in the whole College's benefit.

Q4. What is a goal you would like to achieve this year in the leadership team?
My goal for this year is to influence the idea of a new beginning and fresh start from the two consecutive years of lockdown. Additionally, my goal is to propose ideas in hopes of bringing the college community together.

Q5. What is the legacy you wish to leave behind?
The legacy I want to leave behind is the idea of taking every opportunity granted for you. We have so many opportunities, and I hope to introduce more, within the college and I hope to encourage students to strive for success and to challenge themselves. I hope to leave the college knowing I made an impact to student's within the community, and I hope to inspire others to take on challenges with an open mind. I'm striving to make a difference within the school, and I hope to connect the school even further in the future.

Q6. What are some exciting projects or proposals the leadership team are currently that you are passionate about? Is there something new that you would like to introduce?
Currently, myself and my team (Maya S, Taylah B and Celina A) have proposed the idea of a Year Nine Dance, that we have been planning and organizing in hopes the event goes through, before the end of the year. We hope to bring the year nine cohort together after beginning high school within our homes, to influence the cohort to come together and remember enjoyable moments whilst on-site at this college. Our goal is to enable students to create new friendships, encourage confidence in social skills and events and to finish year nine with an unforgettable time. We hope to fundraise for Uganda in the process, to support their community especially after the effects of COVID.