What motivated you to join Student Council?

When I first joined council in Grade 7, I thought it might be fun. I had no idea about the hard, often unglamorous work that goes into council and the challenges you have to face. Five years later, however, I continue to enjoy the camaraderie of the great people you get to work with, the personal skills you learn, and the wonderful sense of achievement you feel when you pull off a successful event that contributes to the Meadowridge experience.

Council projects can be both fun and frivolous as well as extremely serious and important. As council members, we get the opportunity to shape a part of the culture of the school and make a difference, from bringing a smile to people’s faces, planning events to let off steam, or informing, educating and advocating our peers about serious, contemporary issues. I have a sincere interest in the welfare of others and believe in the importance of fun. I like being a part of planning those events and helping shape the student experience at our school.

Through my work with council, I have learned to plan events, delegate tasks and even developed a talent for event organization, planning, and management. I enjoy the organized chaos — no matter how much you plan you will always have, and have to react to, last-minute changes. Together, Council pulls together and makes our events work, from open mic nights, awareness initiatives and senior lunches, to school tours with prospective parents and year-end games.

So, in Grade 7 I got involved because I thought it would be fun, but I stayed because I have been able to make a difference.

How has the House System shaped your own experience at the school?

The Meadowridge House System ensures students feel supported by their peers from the get-go. It breaks down age barriers and provides opportunities for all ages and grades to work together, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. It supports a strong and cohesive environment, friendship, and collaboration. A true sense of belonging. The fact that everyone is included also lets us interact with our teachers outside of the classroom, letting us see another side to them and that they are human. It helps build relationships between adults and students which is so important.

You cannot talk about the Meadowridge Houe system without mentioning competition. The hoorah, the unique house cheers we make up, the house colours, the selection of mini competitions each term and spirits days all help drive students to improve collegiality. On council, we try to cater to all interests and learning types and search for ways students and staff can feel more connected to, and involved with, the community around them whilst fostering a friendly competitive spirit along the way.

What is your favourite memory from this year?

The sense of hope we all felt on the first Spirit Day, which came to symbolise the re-opening of our school events after restrictions eased. There was a little extra Spirit that day!

Why is leadership important, and what have you learned or experienced from getting involved.

Leadership is important as it gives the focus for thoughts and ideas, generates action, and creates a collective sense of values. The Council is a mix of grades and staff and students who collectively provide leadership to the school on special event planning and communicates on important contemporary issues. The experience has taught me that people are very different in how they work, think and what they can contribute, and I have learned to appreciate and identify the differences and have developed different communication and negotiation strategies to aid communication and decision making.  The experience has shown me that it is okay to have disagreement but, in the end, you need to find a way forward and for me this has been knowing when to follow a lead and when the team needs me to step-up as the leader.