The Parliament Prize
Talking about the issues that are important to you and your community
The Parliament Prize
Talking about the issues that are important to you and your community
Rosalie Fourniotis
Year 12 Coordinator
Teacher - VCE Legal Studies
Last term, Senior School students were invited to enter the prestigious 2025 Parliament Prize competition.
Participants were asked to create a short video imagining themselves as newly elected Members of Parliament, delivering their first Member Statement to the Legislative Assembly.
This year’s competition attracted almost 1,200 entries from across the state, making it one of the most competitive in recent years. Finalists represented the top ten entrants in each category — an impressive achievement given the high standard of submissions.
Congratulations to School Captain, Harper Hopkins, who, despite her busy schedule, entered the competition and was selected as a finalist. This accomplishment is a testament to her commitment, creativity, and leadership qualities — showing her peers what can be achieved with passion and determination: truly leading by example.
Harper Hopkins
Year 12 - School Captain
The Parliament Prize was a great opportunity for me to flex my creative muscles whilst also talking about a topic I have interest in.
My topic found it's way to me through a quite contentious debate during one of my extension classes, where we were discussing the issue of historical monuments, and how quickly they become outdated or distasteful.
So many statues, particularly in Australia where we have a pervasive history of violent colonisation, celebrate the actions of men whose values don't align with the world we live in today - not to mention the glaring absence of women in historical monuments.
As an avid history student, I found it quite difficult to choose a side to take on this issue and I still am quite conflicted over it, but I nevertheless found it a fun challenge.
Overall, I am honoured to have been recognised by this competition, and hope that this encourages others to submit an entry next year!