Captains 2024: Getting to know our leaders

Yoshara Wijayatunga:

What inspired you to become a Captain?
"The thing that inspired me to become captain is my passion and strive to make our school a better community for the students. I have always wanted to help those around me, and by taking on this leadership position I believe I will be able to help this college and the students in my school become the best version of themselves."

How do you hope to be remembered by your fellow students?
"I hope to be remembered by my fellow students as an encouraging and friendly leader, who is always there for students no matter how big the problem is. As I don’t want to be seen as a higher power because of my role, but as a friend who is always there for each student in times of need. Additionally, I would like to be seen as a leader who always motivates students to work to the best of their ability to reach their goals."

What are you planning on doing after school?
“I know this is a big question and I know I still have a lot of time think about what I want to do after I graduate but, I have always wanted to pursue a career in medicine. After I graduate grade 12, I would like to become a doctor and help save the lives of many people, as I am a person who loves to help others."

What do you want to accomplish in the role?
“The main thing that I want to accomplish in my role as college captain is that I would love to change the mindset of students. I would love for students to feel more encouraged to come to school and for students to enjoy school, even if they don’t enjoy the academic part of school to at least get them to enjoy the other parts the school has to offer such as, joining a club or making friends.”

William Garimont:

What traits are most important to leadership and why?
“I think it’s important for a leader to be a good communicator and have a good social conscience. I think it’s important for a leader to be able to talk to and with the people that they are “leading”, being a representative of a body of people it makes sense to me that a leader be good with people.”

How do you hope to be remembered by your fellow students?
“I hope that I can be remembered as a sociable person, rather than be remembered for my captaincy.

What are you planning on doing after school? 
“Once I get out of high school I’d love to become a pilot, or even a mechanic with the air-force; work around planes and get to do all kinds of cool things that lots of people wouldn’t ever get the opportunity to do.”

What do you want to accomplish in the role?
“I want to be able to draw the school closer together; So you would be able to have everyone know someone who isn’t directly near them all the time, and have a friend anywhere they look is something I really hope that I will be able to at least help to achieve.”

Captains 2024: Getting to know our leaders

James Mayne:

What traits do you believe are most important to leadership, and why?
"I believe the ability to listen is the most important quality a leader should have. Listening and hearing all opinions and needs of a topic can create a more diverse solution, catering to the needs of everyone and the group. A sagacious leader must also possess a keen sense of empathy, allowing them to deeply understand and relate to the perspectives and emotions of their team members."

What do you want to accomplish in the role?
"In this role, I want to make sure every student feels valued and included. I'll work on programs to help everyone do their best in school. I also aim to improve communication so everyone's ideas and concerns are heard. Overall, I want to leave a positive impact on our school, making it a better place for all of us."

Issy Preece:

What inspired you to become a Captain?
"In my first year of high school as I was sitting in a crowd listening to the school captains speak at assembly, hearing their passion and drive for anything from sports carnivals to academics, I knew one day I would want to be there. As the years went by and it started nearing closer to nominating for the positions, I realised that the role was much more than speaking at events. It was being a part of the school spirit and sports, it was encouraging and supporting other students in every grade, it was being a role model to the Grade 7’s, inspiring the next generation. As I came to know and create bonds with past School Captains, I realised I still wanted to work for this role. My dream had only grown over the years as I learnt the true meaning of what is to be a College Captain."

What part of the ‘job’ are you most excited for in 2024?
"The most exciting part of being in the 2024 leadership team is creating longlisting connections, and new friendships resulting in growth as both a student and a leader. This will happen from new life experiences, meeting new people and being pushed out of my comfort zone, which will allow me to develop into a better leader, peer, and student."

Jack Perkins:

What do you want to accomplish in the role?
"I want to help create an environment at grace that allows people to be more honest with one another and in turn be truer to themselves, where talking to and having a laugh with people you may have never met becomes more prevalent. I also want to make the year more fun for everyone and make others smile a little bit more, whether that’s talking about funny stories with random students or making corny jokes at lunch."

What do you want to do after Year 12? 
"My dreams for after year 12 seem to keep changing on the daily. However, I am very interested in economics and finance and hope to have my own business later in life."

Isabelle Ferguson:

What traits do you believe are most important to leadership, and why?
"I think there are many traits important to leadership. Personally, I believe communication, integrity, and empathy are traits that I strive to embody through this leadership position. These few traits will a leader aid me in approaching a situation by being true to their morals while accommodating the body of people that the leader is representing."

How do you hope to be remembered by your fellow students?
"I hope to be remembered by students as friendly face within the community and someone they felt they can approach with any need no matter the scale."