STUDENT VOICE AND LEADERSHIP

Get to know our College Leadership Team

LAYNE J. 12K - SPORTS CAPTAIN

When did you start your studies at Doncaster Secondary College?

I started my studies at DSC at the start of year 7.

Tell us about some of your interests.

I LOVE Sports (shock horror) and always enjoy doing some sort of activity rather than sitting down. At the moment I play basketball, netball and footy outside of school (somehow fitting in the study) and am loving all three.

Year 12 Studies/Year 9 Electives:

English, Math Methods, Biology, Psychology, Health and PE

What have you been involved in throughout your school years?

I’ve always been involved with various Inter-school sports teams, mostly playing and sometimes coaching the younger years as well as participating in Cross Country. In 2016, I was lucky enough to go to Borneo with 10 other students to do a community project and a trek of Mt Kinabalu (4095m) and in 2017 I went on Central Australia Camp. Both trips were without a doubt the best weeks of my life and I’m forever grateful for the friendships and memories I made.

What advice would you give to those students who aspire to be future leaders?

Anyone is capable of being a leader and as long as you participate in events and activities around the school and have the ability to work well with others then it is very likely that you could be elected one of the leadership positions. And even if you aren’t successful you can still make an impact to the school and present your ideas to the SRC.

I CAN AND I WILL

What does this mean to you?

Year 12 is a big and demanding year for students and school, in general, can sometimes be overwhelming. I believe that the “I Can and I Will’ motto can inspire students to think more positively and focus on the things that they ‘Can’ do rather than dwelling on the tasks that believe they can’t achieve. Similarly, the ‘I Will’ encourages students to take action immediately on their goals rather than just aimlessly stating what they’re ‘gonna do’ this year.

How will you live by this statement throughout the year?

Sometimes the workload for school can be somewhat stressful so I aim to make mini to-do lists for each day focusing on the things that I ‘Can’ achieve one step at a time rather than worrying about things for other subjects.

For example, if I have 3 hours spare time after school:

I ‘can’ be productive and finish those biology notes and I ‘will’
I ‘can’ plan an English essay and I ‘will’
I ‘can’ have some relaxation time and watch TV and ‘I will’

What are your goals for 2018:

For yourself personally and as a Year 12 student?

To contribute as much as I can in SRC (addressing student issues) and also running more non-fundraising activities for the students to build a stronger community.

Obviously, a high ATAR is always the goal but it’s not necessarily always realistic, so my goal this year is to the best that I possibly can by doing as much practice questions as I can. Basically, I don’t want to have any regrets at the end of the year and be that person that says ‘I could have done better if I tried harder’.

I want to make the most of my last year of school and enjoy the more important things in life such as spending time with friends and looking after my mental health.

What are your long-term life ambitions and aspirations?

My dream job is physiotherapy or something Exercise Science related. I would also love to travel more.

What would you like your legacy to be for Doncaster Secondary College?

We’re currently working on a three-year plan for SRC so I think it would be great to leave a framework for future SRC groups to use and implement at DSC.

In one sentence what would you like to say to your fellow students about your Pride in Doncaster Secondary College?

After nearly 6 whole years, I can safely say that Doncaster is a welcoming place that has provided me with so many opportunities and memories that I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life.