Gippsland Grammar has announced its student leaders for next year, with 14 senior students named as the school’s captains, vice-captains and prefects for 2023.
Current Year 11 students Emily Thai and Ed Courtier will be the 2023 school captains, supported by vice captains Sophie Alexander and Monty Richardson.
Another 10 students were named as prefects across specific areas, including ‘community and culture’, ‘wellbeing and care’, ‘curriculum and learning’, ‘creativity and expression’ and ‘sport and experience’.
The students will spend the remainder of this year preparing for their new leadership roles, which come into effect from the start of term one next year when they begin their final year of schooling as Year 12 students.
Acting principal Michele Wakeham said opportunities for student leadership were offered across all year levels at the VCE independent Schools; however, these senior roles were the highest-profile and sought after.
“We were very excited that we have so many passionate students who were so passionate in stepping up to learn, live and lead within our school community,” Mrs Wakeham said.
“The decisions certainly weren’t easy, and we sincerely thank these student leaders in accepting their titles and responsibilities. We are confident these students will model the leadership qualities we aim to instil in all students who attend Gippsland Grammar.”
Head of Garnsey Rohan Jayatilake said a strong field of about 40 students was vying for the positions of leadership, which for the first time this year included prefects spread across five key areas rather than general prefects.
“By focusing on specific areas of learning, our new captains and prefects will be leading change in areas of the school that they are truly passionate about,” Mr Jayatilake said.
“We believe this will encourage deeper and more meaningful conversations between students, staff and families, furthering our achievement of student, school and community goals.”
Each student submitted a formal application, sat an interview with members of the school’s own leadership team and presented to their peers at a campus assembly.
During the application process, successful school captain candidate Ed Courtier spoke of the traits he considers important for all leaders.
“A leader must be selfless, with the interest of the community at heart, while maintaining honesty and perseverance,” he said.
“I encourage that all of us strive to be leaders in our own lives, to make our own decisions while thinking first of how they impact those around us.”
Fellow 2023 Captain Emily Thai spoke of her leadership values, saying she valued people’s opinions and their ideas.
“I also value feedback because it allows us to progress further in our goals and succeed. To be a good leader, you have to be prepared to fail, prepared to learn, and prepared to work on ideas and do something for the benefit of everyone else.”
Gippsland Grammar 2023 student leaders:
School Captain: Ed Courtier
School Captain: Emily Thai
Vice Captain: Monty Richardson
Vice Captain: Sophie Alexander
Community and Culture Prefect: Lailah Moore
Community and Culture Prefect: Nathaniel Shelton
Wellbeing and Care Prefect: Chris Kelsey
Wellbeing and Care Prefect: Isabel Rush Lestrange
Curriculum and Learning Prefect: Samithri Kaluarachchi
Curriculum and Learning Prefect: Jonathon DeKock
Creativity and Expression Prefect: Georgia Shell
Creativity and Expression Prefect: Leah Brutovic
Sport and Experience Prefect: Austin Bauer
Sport and Experience Prefect: Ella O’Doherty
