It has been wonderful to welcome back all Senior School students over the last three weeks. There is always a sense of excitement that is captured at the beginning of every school year. Perhaps it is driven by a genuine awareness that with a new year comes the opportunity to start afresh – to set new goals, try new things and make new connections.

Throughout 2025 we will continue to celebrate the contribution of students to our school community in our Senior School assembly, commencing with the induction of our School Prefects. It was wonderful to have the parents (and in one case a grandparent) of our prefects join us as we celebrated their child’s appointment at our Formal Assembly and a morning tea.

Our prefects for 2025 are
:School Captain - Jemima M
School Vice Captain - Giovanna P
Captain of Debating - Mily R
Captain of Drama - Nicolette S
Captain of Music - Kathy M
Captain of Sport - Fiona F
SRC President - Ranudi LH
Social Service Prefect - Alice F
Year Level Liaison Prefect - Emily R
Year Level Liaison Prefect - Vani S
Year Level Liaison Prefect - Madeline W
House Captain of Ashby - Georgia B
House Captain of Locksley - Elly S
House Captain of Oswald - Hayley W
House Captain of Rotherwood - Emily W
House Captain of Rowena - Ava L
House Captain of York - Lexi H

Not surprisingly, each of these students displayed leadership long before their appointment as Prefect. I would guess that their leadership journey began many years ago; perhaps on a sporting field, in the classroom, as a member of a debating team or on an Outdoor Education camp – the possibilities are endless and varied. But one thing they collectively have in common, irrespective of when they first stepped into the leadership space, is how they lead. All have demonstrated values aligned to an authentic leadership model. They are fueled by their passion and share a dream that others want to embrace and follow. They understand that leadership is for others, not themselves, and focus on ‘we’ rather than ‘me’, thereby helping others to grow.

As part of the Formal Assembly, we were also fortunate to have Caitlyn Tao, our Dux of 2024, speak to us via video recording from China. Caitlyn’s message was both simple and wise. She challenged each of us to adopt a growth mindset, rather than having a fixed mindset, empowering us to see the possibilities in the struggle. Caitlyn reflected on her Year 7 self - a time when she viewed herself as a STEM student, believing that English was not a subject where she could achieve high results. However, as she matured, she realized that having a defeatist attitude was self-fulfilling; when she shifted her mindset and approached her study of English with the same dedication and effort she applied to her STEM subjects, she began to see positive results and her enjoyment increased. What Caitlyn was too humble to share was that at the end of Year 12 she received an outstanding result in English. Caitlyn challenged each of us to look for the possibilities rather than be defined by absolutes.

Caitlyn’s message is aligned to the aspiration we have for every member of our community. We believe that every student has the capacity to lead themselves and others, and in so doing shape the culture of this School. I join Caitlyn in challenging our students to change the narrative of how they see themselves and start the year by defining themselves by the possibilities rather than in absolutes. I also thank our Prefects for their willingness to serve our community.

Ms Louisa Scerri
Deputy Principal / Head of Senior School