Wellbeing
Meet the 2023 Student Leadership Team Portfolio Prefects Edition
Matthew Younan
What is your leadership portfolio?
Student Wellbeing Prefect
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I’m most excited about extending my service to the College through the wellbeing portfolio which I am passionate about. I am passionate about raising awareness of high priority issues which are relevant and present in society. Working with the student leadership team to share ideas and initiatives will undoubtedly add to the unforgettable experiences I’ve had over my time at the College and will be effective in raising awareness. However most importantly, I’m just happy to be that contact point for many and to enhance not only my relationships, but the bond between all boys and staff at the College.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Something about me that others may be surprised to know is that pre-Covid, I never missed a week of church in my life. My family and especially my mother are all devout Catholics which I also grew up to be and I am grateful for the opportunity they gave me to come to a school where faith is so important. I enjoy the sense of guidance I receive from faith, through church. Church for me is a time to reflect and look for guidance which is so vital in the senior year and therefore I consider church to be one of the most valuable things in my life.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘The Nights’ by Avicii. I think this would be a good theme song for my life as the song is about living life in the moment and never wasting any time. I find that I can dwell on the negatives in life and forget that there’s so much more to life than whatever has “gone wrong”. I think the chorus perfectly sums up how I try to live my life, “one day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember.” Moreover, the song speaks about blocking out the negative and judgement in life and making the impact that you want to make to, “light a fire they can’t put out.” which I believe perfectly aligns with my outlook on life.
Shivaal Maharaj
What is your leadership portfolio?
Learning and Technology Prefect
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most excited about being given the opportunity to serve the College by helping re-enforce safe online practices, the College’s cybersecurity measures and help strengthen learning at the College. For me, a huge part of learning is to do with mental health, particularly when it comes to anxiety and as such, I am looking forward to working with the Student Wellbeing Prefect Matthew Younan in order to implement initiatives across the College. Additionally, I hope to further engage the student voice and help better the College in different areas, thereby benefitting the College in the long run. On the whole, I hope to work with the Student Leadership Team to help create and implement initiatives around the College, to make more experiences in my final year at the College and to help contribute to the College, further enhancing the need for the student voice at the College.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
When I am stressed, I often go on walks and listen to music to clear my mind. I often enjoy this during the evening when it is a little darker and there is also a cool breeze. This has also led me to enjoying going on hikes with friends, often bringing a speaker and some food to enjoy while looking at a beautiful view. Additionally, this has helped fuel my love of exploring things, especially the wilderness and abandoned buildings. Besides the great aesthetics, there is a feeling that comes over me which can best be described as a mix of adrenaline and excitement which makes the experience thrilling and enjoyable, as well as a way for me to relax and spend time with myself and others when things in life become too chaotic. This is a far cry from the normal things I am often associated with when people think of me.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Carry On My Wayward Son’ by Kansas. The song has amazing music with great instrumentals and guitar solos, being a part of the rock phase that hit during the 70s to 90s. The song focuses on the central message of ‘carrying on’, an idea that centres around resilience and the ability to bounce back after things do not go your way. Even when you are the highest point in your life and you come crashing down to your lowest, the song tells you to “carry on...” and “...cry no more.” The song particularly resonates with me when things do not go perfectly every time, and those who prevail and succeed are those who are able to pick themselves up and continue, and eventually “there’ll be peace when you are done.”
Alex Purser
What is your leadership portfolio?
Co-curricular (Sport) Prefect
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I’m most excited in assisting all the boys to enjoy and make the most of their sporting endeavours across the College, just as much as I do. I also look forward to being present at sporting fixtures, swimming and athletics carnivals throughout the year, encouraging the boys to support their mates, coming together to celebrate their respective sporting achievements and just having fun with their friends.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I think something that might be a surprise to others is that I played my first season of Rugby Union at 3 years of age, meaning next year will be my 15th season of Rugby. While you may believe that after 15 years of footy you would become extremely capable of scoring tries, I’ve scored more tries in my first year of Rugby then I have in the last 5 years.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
A theme song for my life would have to be ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond. While it’s not my favourite song or one that gives much meaning of life, it’s a song that has been a part of so many great memories for me, as it’s a song that brings everyone together with its well-known lyrics. Whether it is in the sheds after a big win in footy, at a party or just playing on the car radio, it is guaranteed to get everyone chanting the lyrics and having a dance. So, the song for me is more a reminder of the good times I get to share with friends and family.
Oscar Manuel
What is your leadership portfolio?
Co-curricular Cultural Prefect
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most excited about bringing the culture back to St Pat’s. I believe the best way to do that is through co-curricular as that is where friends and memories are made. Throughout my years here I have always tried to sign up for as many activities as possible, even though sometimes they were not for me. Regardless, I always had a good time doing it and I want others to share in what I have been so lucky to experience. Typically, the cultural co-curriculars do not cultivate that much support so I am excited to change that.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Something that people don’t really know about me is that I did two university courses this year at Macquarie. The first one I did was a course in Critical Thinking where I got a High distinction. The other one I did was the Arts and Humanities where I got a Distinction.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
A good theme song for me would have to be ‘Sliver’ by Nirvana. However, I do really like the song and the switch between normal tones and harsh grunge sounds describes the moods I switch between. For my life so far, as a teenager, the song fits perfectly and since there is little to no meaning to it, I can give it my own meaning.