SCHOOL CAPTAINS 1
Speaking for Themselves School Captain, Winona and Vice Captain, Charlotte, are passionate advocates for students at Ivanhoe Girls’, encouraging everyone to be their authentic selves. We spoke with them about their time as captains, and what the Prefect slogan “Let’s Own It” means to them. The School motto, “Our Girls Speak for Themselves” is a powerful statement, illustrating the importance the School places on student voice, but is also an illustration of the strength and individuality of our students. For School Captain Winona, it offers a sense of comfort and belonging. “It tells our students that you shouldn’t fear judgement”, she says. “You can genuinely do anything you want to do without being judged.” Charlotte agrees, and suggests that the School cultivates “the kind of environment where you don’t need to be afraid to say what you like, to speak about your passions, and to really just be your true self.” “It really enables us to follow anything we want to pursue,” she says. This positive environment, which is shaped by the Staff as well as supportive families, gives students the opportunity to have their voices heard in meaningful ways, and this has an impact, suggests Winona.
“What really stands out to me is the way we vote for our student leaders,” she explains. This differs from other schools, where the Principal or Senior teachers decide the Student Leadership team. “The staff have given us an opportunity to know that our opinion matters. It shows us that we know our peers the best, we know what we want to look for in a leader. The students have the confidence, and they know they have the ability, to lead.” “I think it reflects a lot about our school,” she says. But being empowered to speak for yourself isn’t the same as actually doing it. That takes confidence and practice. “You need to be put in situations that can be challenging and that require you to voice your opinion and to believe in yourself,” says Winona. And the School offers lots of opportunities to explore those experiences, from Junior School right through to Year 12. “The School really encourages everyone to have a go,” says
Charlotte. “It’s a really good environment to be able to stand up and speak your opinion.” For younger students, the idea of “owning it” can be confronting, but the School offers a warm and welcoming environment where students really can explore a whole range of activities, and not be afraid to fail. “As you get older, you do learn to regret things that you don't try,” says Winona. Looking back, she says “definitely, there are things I wish I had done.” Still, when she did push herself out of her comfort zone, she learned a lot. “You might feel like it's a big fail and it's embarrassing, but those are the moments you cherish,” she says. Charlotte regrets never trying out for Senior School productions. “I was very very scared of performing. But looking back I think it would have been such a fun thing to do, such good memories, and creating bonds with people in other year levels,” she says. “I do regret not doing it.”
2
4
I
Lux Mea
