Meet our College Captains
Cassandra Guevarra
Arts Captain, Clyde North Campus
When did you start your studies at St. Peter’s College?
I came here in Year 8! A little late, but I managed to make great friends here.
Tell us about your family?
I have an older brother and sister, as well as my parents. Both my siblings don’t live with me anymore, but they live nearby so my family gets together a lot. We go out to eat, watch movies, talk to each other, travel… anything really. My parents were born and raised in Phillipines, so they wanted us to have a good life and worked their way up to moving here. I am very grateful for them giving me this life, and I only want to work harder to return the favour.
Tell us about your other interests?
I love drawing! I grew up playing a lot of games and so it inspires me to design game characters as well. One of my favourite artists is Arnold Tsang; he is one of the concept designers of the playable characters of Overwatch! I love the way he colours and designs characters with unique and strong personalities to them. Art has always been something I feel most relaxed in both drawing and viewing. I also love watching cartoons! A few of my favourite cartoons are Steven Universe, South Park and Rick and Morty. If I had all the time in the world, I’d spend all of it at home watching these shows.
Year 12 Studies:
This year, I am studying Visual Arts, Studio Arts, Japanese, Further Maths, English and Religion.
Have you already completed any of your VCE Studies prior to this year?
No, I haven’t completed any.
2019 College Annual Theme
Take courage, it is I; be not afraid
What does this mean to you?
In my early school years, I was afraid of any form of socialisation. I refrained from talking as much as possible and became known as ‘the quiet girl’ in school. But in truth, I admired those who were able to talk with ease and treat everyone in a friendly and calm manner.
The story of Jesus walking on water sticks with me to this very day. After Peter came down out of the ship and walked on the water, he became afraid of the storm and began to sink - he called out to Jesus for help. Jesus caught him and reproved him for his lack of faith.
If I wanted to rid of my shyness around others, I needed to build up the courage and faith in Jesus to take me there. My sink hole was avoiding building relationships and I simply lacked faith in the good it will bring me. So each day, bit by bit, I put courage in little things I could accomplish like talk to the teacher, asking for help, coming to school with a smile and so on.
So trust in Jesus to guide us on conquering our fears just a little each day; do not be afraid in taking courage and think about the good it will bring you.
How will you live this statement throughout the year in your role?
Each day I will tackle my fears with one task at a time that will hopefully lead me in the right place. For my studies, it means stopping procrastination and just get the work done already. As for myself, I need to lessen my worries and focus on having a good time with the people I meet. Lastly, being Arts Captain also calls for my utmost confidence in meeting other art students and providing opportunities for them to express themselves at our college.
What are your goals for 2019?
My goals for this year is to have a good work ethic, receive good study scores and have a blast with the people around me.
For yourself in your Captains role?
As Arts Captain, I need to build confidence as leader of the Arts, so I can co-operate with the art students and teachers here to enliven a great Art culture within our college.
For yourself as a Year 12 student?
I need to refrain from procrastinating from my school work, as well as balance other priorities of my life if I want to keep a good work ethic.
Personally?
By voicing my opinions in class discussions, asking for help from teachers, expressing my art online more often and maintaining the close relationships I’ve built around me. I want to be able to look back in ten years from now and be thankful for the efforts I put in to reach my dreams.
What would you like your legacy be for St. Peter’s College?
To be your friendly neighbourhood Arts Captain.
Someone who you can call reliable and passionate about the Art culture in our school. I want everyone to feel inspired in trying anything artsy, even if they think they’re not creative. And, no, art is not restricted to just visuals; you can be a poet, writer, singer, dancer, actor, musician and so on! I want people to feel welcome in the arts community and express themselves without hesitation.
What are you immediate life ambitions and aspirations once you complete your studies at St. Peter’s College?
To get into my dream university RMIT and build a career out of my art through social media. I’d also love to travel to Japan to experience a new culture and work up on my language skills there. (Mostly for the food too)
What are your long term life ambitions and aspirations?
I only wish to not be homeless out of debt and feel content with the current pace my life is at. Hopefully I would be working in the games and animation industries for all of my life.
In one sentence what would you like to say to your fellow students to convey your pride in your College?
Don’t be afraid to find your voice (unless you’re rude) and do everything based around your values and dreams so you won’t ever feel stressed about life getting at you.
Also, for future year 12s, remember not to overwork yourselves and find balance in work and friends.
Mikayla Van Der Velden
Art Captain, Cranbourne Campus
When did you start your studies at St. Peter’s College?
I began my studies at St. Peter’s College back in Year 7.
Tell us about your family?
I live with my wonderful Mum, Dad, and brother Stefan, who have always encouraged me and my love for the arts.
Tell us about your other interests?
My other interests are naturally art related, I’ve been in every school production, have ballroom danced for 9 years, and am a freelance Graphic Designer and I sing in the Madjil Moorna class.
Year 12 Studies:
I am currently studying Units 3/4 Studio Art, Visual Communication, English, and Drama.
I also study Art History at Melbourne University as an accelerated subject.
Have you already completed any of your VCE Studies prior to this year?
I completed Units 3/4 Art last year.
2019 College Annual Theme
Take courage, it is I; be not afraid
What does this mean to you?
This years theme, “Take courage, it is I: be not afraid” seems to be something I’ve explored my entire education, and I believe it is something we are all learning. Having courage and being unafraid I believe are quite different things; where courage is having the strength to face a challenge or trying something new, and where being unafraid is facing that challenge without the fear of doing wrong - or perhaps knowing in confidence that you’ll gain something from that experience.
How will you live this statement throughout the year in your role?
For yourself in your Captains role?
In living this statement, I aim to take chances to make a real impact in the life of the college. I hope for us all to work together and create new and exciting artistic traditions in the school, as well as helping them all lead through their artistic practices.
For yourself as a Year 12 student?
My goal is to establish a really strong artistic presence in our school that with last beyond my graduation.
Personally?
For now, I simply aim to get through my senior years to the best the best of my ability.
What would you like your legacy be for St. Peter’s College?
I have pursued my Year 12 goal thus far by founding the ‘St. Peter’s Arts Collective’ which allows all the incredible talents of my peers to collaborate in events and activities that will soon be displayed to the whole college community.
What are you immediate life ambitions and aspirations once you complete your studies at St. Peter’s College?
I hope to study Arts at university and continue into arts management or curation in the future.
In one sentence what would you like to say to your fellow students to convey your pride in your College?
If I could say anything to students, it would be to work hard and have passion - you’ll get where you want to be.