Student Leadership 2023

This year’s leadership team is looking to continue and develop Camberwell Grammar’s spirit of optimism, connection, and community during their final year of school.

COOPER CARBONE – CAPTAIN OF THE SCHOOL

I look forward to seeing our vibrant school community reconnect this year. I hope to unify the Prefect team to support everyone to embrace opportunities and immerse themselves in all aspects of the School.

Looking back, I would encourage my younger self to ask more questions –I think it’s the best way of making the most of every moment at school. I would also ensure I was putting effort into creating and maintaining meaningful connections with my peers.

‘I think I can, I think I can.’ – The Little Engine that Could (This quote perfectly encapsulates the attitude and spirit of optimism we should all strive to demonstrate.)

WILLIAM ALLSOP – VICE CAPTAIN OF THE SCHOOL

It is my job to lead the School in various ways throughout the year. I represent the School at events, organise charity fundraisers, and I help Cooper in leading the team of Prefects. I also do my best to get a chuckle from everyone by telling a joke at the end of Assembly each week!

This year, I hope to help Camberwell Grammar foster the continued development of an accepting environment for students to learn and grow, encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones to try new things and meet new people.

If I were to give my Year 7 self any advice about starting secondary school, I would tell him to get to know as many people as possible within the School community. You will soon find that you have something in common with everyone you talk to and the more people you know, the better you can figure out who you are and the man you want to grow into.

‘With great power comes great responsibility.’

LACHLAN O’NEILL

– CAPTAIN OF GAMES

My responsibility is to ultimately make sport within the School as enjoyable as possible and create an environment that fosters camaraderie and improvement. Through weekly reports, I have the opportunity to highlight this mateship, in combination with celebrating high performance.

Through the continual growth of Camberwell Grammar Sport, I aim to encourage students to enjoy the opportunity to represent the School in the AGSV and external events and feel an incredible sense of pride in doing so. Within the sporting programs or elsewhere, I hope all students go out and make the most of the vast array of opportunities that the School provides.

‘No matter how good you get, you can always get better, and that’s the exciting part.’ – Tiger Woods

RAY HE – CAPTAIN OF MUSIC

My role heavily revolves around the management of music performances ranging from instrumentals to chorales for various occasions from weekly Assemblies to the Greenweek and Winter concerts.

I hope to inspire new and current musicians and provide everyone with an opportunity to develop their interest or skill in music, whether that be musical ideas, or performances and connections. More uniquely to me, I would like to strive to highlight a range of different genres of music and encourage all Music students to branch out towards innovative, unique, and different archetypes of music using the skills they have learnt from our marvellous programs.

Take every opportunity whilst it’s there. You are given countless opportunities, faced with countless challenges, and connected with countless new faces – don’t be shy to try out new things. If you make a mistake, everyone is there to help you fix it and learn from it. Secondary school goes by like a flash, don’t waste it whilst you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

‘Carpe Diem.’ – Horace, Odes

TOM NEWMAN – CAPTAIN OF DRAMA

My role is to represent and showcase the fantastic Performing Arts program at Camberwell Grammar and assist the fantastic Mr Andrew Stocker, our Head of Drama, and Mrs Jessica Johnson, put on all things theatre.

One of the many great things about the Performing Arts program is that it offers the opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone. Theatre is an amazing chance to create some of the most memorable moments and friendships that will go beyond Year 12. If I could in any way facilitate this feeling to my peers, through events such as the School production Oliver, as well as the annual House play competition, I think I could look back at my journey proudly.

‘Maybe you have to know the darkness before you can appreciate the light.’ — Madeleine L’Engle, A Ring of Endless

Light

HENRY SHIRREFS – ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

This year, my main goals are to organise Towards2050 meetings and processes which will support the students so that they’re able to bring their ideas to life with ease. As a group, we’ll be focusing on the theme of Sustainable Transport; helping students and staff get to school smarter whilst reducing our carbon footprint simultaneously.

More personally, I will be working on setting up a sustainability partnership with schools in and around the Boroondara area. This partnership will be supported by the Boroondara Council and Australian Conservation Foundation; and will allow us to use each school’s time, resources, and ideas more efficiently and to greater effect.

If I were to look back and give feedback to my Year 7 self, it would have been to focus more on friendships and extracurricular activities in and around the School. But at the same time build good study habits and continue developing them each year.

‘It’s not a house, it’s a home.’ – Darryl Kerrigan

ALAN TIAN – PUBLIC SPEAKING AND DEBATING

I manage the organisation of various debating events throughout the year and provide aspiring debaters with training and advice. I encourage students to improve their public speaking skills, critical thinking, and awareness of current affairs. My hope is that everyone who does debating has fun doing it. Whether that’s public speaking or speechwriting, or just rocking up to cheer your friends on, there is a place for everyone who does debating.

Year 7 is like going to an expensive all-you-can-eat buffet. You may be inclined just to pick the fried rice and french fries because that’s what you’re familiar with. But you may miss out on the caviar, filet mignon, and the gold-coated sundae.

School is the same – each choice of food you have is a different activity, whether that’s Sport, Music, Debating, or Drama. If you don’t like it, you can just stop. But you may just find something that you’ll stick with for the rest of your time at school, and maybe even beyond.

‘It is, of course, better to know useless things than to know nothing.’ – Seneca

CHARLIE LEONG – PUBLICATIONS

My role is to lead a team of students working on school publications, such as the Echo. I also oversee, promote, and help run the School’s writing competitions such as Realms. My goal is to encourage as many students as I can to participate in publications. For those who do participate, I strive to give them as many opportunities as possible to contribute. I would encourage all students to sign up to as many things as possible. There are many diverse activities that you can participate in, and this will ensure you get the most out of your time at Camberwell Grammar. You’ll also get to make many friendships with people you may otherwise not have spent much time with.

‘If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.’ – Abraham Lincoln

CONNOR INSTON – FAITH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

I work alongside our School Chaplain, Mrs de Paiva, and assist her with school events such as chapel services and church masses. I act as a student representative at Anglican School events as well to support the School’s outreach into the Anglican community. Alongside this, I act as a student facilitator for Mustard, a Christian lunchtime group.

Our school services were heavily impacted over the past few years with Covid-19, and I think it would be great for students to once again reconnect with the spiritual side of the School. As such, I would encourage students to get involved in as much as they can. If you try new hobbies and activities, you’ll find something that you love and make many friends along the way! I found that with the stage and doing the productions and I made some of my fondest memories there.

‘Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.’ –Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

SAM KEENAN – JUNIOR AND MIDDLE SCHOOL LIAISON

My goal is to build better connections between the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools, bringing people from all year levels closer together. I am looking forward to doing so with the help of some new activities and initiatives (so watch this space!).

As cliché as it sounds, I would tell my Year 7 self to make the most of every opportunity this school offers. I can promise you, time flies, and you don’t want to look back thinking ‘why didn’t I do that?’ I know every student has probably heard this ‘lecture’ from teachers before. But you don’t realise how true it is until it’s too late.

‘Talk to me, Goose.’ – Top Gun

SEBASTIAN BECK – SENIOR CADET UNDER OFFICER (SCUO)

My main role this year is to command and run the Cadet Unit here at the School and represent the Cadet Unit at outside of school activities. My main goal this year is to build the Cadet Unit back to the point where it was thriving before Covid-19 and replenish the sense of community, not just in the Cadet Unit, but also through the wider school community, by planning fun and engaging activities for Cadets.

For those who are starting in Year 7, the best advice that I can give you is to take a chance, and embrace failure; that’s the worst that can happen when you take a chance. The only way to grow and develop as a person is to try something that you might not be one hundred percent confident that you will enjoy, or succeed in.

‘The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg.’ – Mel Robbins. (Remember, that you should control your environment, and not let it control you.)

OWEN HENDERSON – CAPTAIN OF BRIDGLAND

My role this year is House Captain of Bridgland and my goals for the year are to win House Athletics, as well as get full participation for Bridgland. My advice for any Year 7s is to make the most of the School’s coaching and teaching facilities as early as possible. The School has so many good coaches and programs, like Craig Mottram’s RunWell, and the School gym. These programs will allow you to build and develop many aspects for sport and life.

‘Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.’ – Michael Jordan

ALEXANDER HARRIS – CAPTAIN OF CLIFFORD

My role is to represent and lead my House – motivating and inspiring my fellow students to participate in House activities, events, and competitions. I work closely with my fellow House leaders to ensure that Clifford is wellorganized and well-represented in all school events. Additionally, I act as a role model to my peers, demonstrating leadership qualities and upholding the values and principles of the School.

While the House goals of winning the Jarrett Cup and the Prefects Cup are important, I aim to motivate my fellow students to participate in House life. Winning these cups requires not only individual effort but also a strong sense of unity and teamwork.

Students should take part in all activities the School has to offer, whether that be Debating, Drama, Music, or academic events. These activities shape your experience at Camberwell Grammar and are what you take away as an individual from your school life.

‘Do or do not, there is no try.’ – Yoda, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

NICHOLAS GRAVES – CAPTAIN OF DERHAM

I want to help create an environment in which every member of our House feels comfortable participating and contributing to events, as well as asking for help and guidance from other members of the House throughout the year.

I would tell my Year 7 self to be more open to trying some of the different activities and programs that are offered at Camberwell Grammar and to take advantage of the incredible facilities around the School during the time that they are available to me.

‘If it is to be, it is up to me.’ – William H Johnsen

RAVIN DESAI – CAPTAIN OF MACNEIL

For me, Macneil House doesn’t concern itself with winning, but rather with getting as many students involved as possible and working as a team to accomplish our goals. With this in mind, I hope to perpetuate this attitude for my House this year, while also delivering some new and exciting projects, such as our Mentor-Mentee program with the support of our excellent House Prefect team.

Looking back, I’d tell my Year 7 self to enjoy the Middle School years while they last and to make the most out of them before things start to heat up in Senior School.

‘The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.’ – Rob

Siltanen

HARRY WATSON – CAPTAIN OF ROBINSON

I have the privilege of leading Robinson House and engaging members of the House in activities such as House Music, Swimming, and Athletics to promote House spirit and comradery. I aim to ensure maximum student participation in these events, and my goal is for Robinson to win!

I recommend that all students try new activities because you won’t know if you like something unless you give it a go. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people, have some fun, and learn new things.

‘I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the gamewinning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.’ – Michael Jordan

WILL STAMPER – CAPTAIN OF SCHOFIELD

As the Captain of Schofield, my aspirations for the year are to win either the Prefects Cup or Jarrett Cup (or both) and ensure everyone within Schofield has an enjoyable year.

I would suggest to Year 8 students that they should enjoy their time at school more, as it goes very quickly! Embrace as many of the opportunities the School offers as you can.

‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

JOSHUA HUI – CAPTAIN OF STEVEN

I am very fortunate to have a great House Prefect team where together we organise competitions, charity fundraisers, and other events. Houses have the potential to really enhance the rollercoaster that is school life and, despite the twists and turns on the ride – isn’t it more fun when you have friends all around you? Some might scream at the sudden drops, while others may shake in nervous anticipation at the top, but at the end of the day, it is the bonds that we forge, and the friendships that we make that we’ll carry with us to the next ride and beyond.

People say that your years at school fly by. But they don’t always. Some days will seem to drag on forever, and others will disappear just when you want them back, but as long as you can leave the examination hall without looking back; without holding regrets or worries or disappointments, it is a victory.

People always say to keep persevering, but sometimes it’s okay to take a step back. Make good friends to rely on, and pace yourself.

People always say that school is the most fun time of your life. But it’s okay if it’s not. We’ll all experience much more in the future, so keep your head up high and continue walking. Live day by day, and eventually the fun will come.

‘We’re throwing ourselves off a cliff without knowing how deep the water below is. Ah, but what a glorious flight!’ –

Christopher Paolini, Eldest

JARROD LEONG – CAPTAIN OF SUMMONS

My role revolves around managing House events and being a leader for the students in lower year levels to look up to. I have a leadership team within the House who organises events to help our House have fun and, coming out of lockdown, my goal is to bring back the Camberwell Grammar spirit, not just through my House, but also to the wider school community. I hope to make our House events as fun as possible, allowing students to get involved, and providing students with opportunities to practice leadership and management skills when organising these events.

Do not be afraid of the failures because failures are what help to make us grow into better people. You will be meeting so many new faces, ones who will help you to grow and learn new skills as well as challengers. School is a place for you to explore your interests and expand on those you already have. It goes by really quickly, so make sure you make the most of your time.

‘Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success.’ – Dale Carnegie