Student Leadership

Meet your 2024 Senior School Captains

L-R: Ella Royal, Olive Dunkley, Patrick Murphy, Harrison Parker, Sophie Nitschinsk, and Sophia Vesdrevanis

Ella Royal, Year 12, Ovens House

Hi DSC!

My name is Ella Royal and I’m very excited to represent the college as a captain in 2024. In my final year, I am eager to give back to our school community and to ensure that every student’s journey at DSC is enriching and enjoyable.

I am committed to using my leadership skills and collaborating with fellow captains as I believe that many students today approach learning with the wrong mindset, forgetting the true purpose of their education. Each day should be seen as a success if we have gained more knowledge than the day before. Students should be encouraged to pursue subjects they are genuinely interested in and curious about.

With like-minded peers, I have begun to plan online platforms and tutoring groups where students can collaborate, helping each other develop their understanding of schoolwork while also enhancing their leadership and communication skills. As we look ahead, I’d like to acknowledge the intelligence and strengths that exist within our school.

Let us embrace a year of growth, resilience, and shared success. Let’s not only nurture the seeds of knowledge amongst the younger students, but also celebrate the vibrant flowers that each teacher, parent, and student of the DSC community represents. Together, I trust that we will make 2024 an extraordinary chapter cultivating a garden of knowledge and achievement.

Olive Dunkley, Year 12, Yarra House

Hi DSC community! My name is Olive Dunkley, and I am so happy to be a part of the College Captain team this year. I am very excited to continue the improvement of our school, focusing on many aspects such as academics, communication, belonging and participation. 

One of the reasons I wanted to be a college captain is to improve my own personal skills of teamwork, responsibility, and organisation. My ambitions for the year will focus on whole school engagement, meaning more individuals in the school are able to get involved, share their ideas and voice any concerns. If this level of communication is achieved, I believe the school will have enhanced wellbeing, more potentials reached and higher success rates. So, let’s all work together and have another great year at Doncaster!

Patrick Murphy, Year 12, Ovens House

I took on the role of school captain as I have really enjoyed my time here at DSC and wanted to give back to the school community. I figured that school captaincy would grant me a platform to help change the DSC for better, and work with like-minded peers. Plus, my fellow captains are pretty cool and fun to work with so that's a nice bonus.

As school captain, I would be interested in improving school STEAM facilities and advocacy for STEAM programs. While I myself may not benefit from an improvement to school facilities due to the fact that I will be leaving at the end of the year, I have really enjoyed the opportunities presented by DSC in relation to STEAM, and if they were to be improved, then I can genuinely see more people developing an interest in this facet of education.

Harrison Parker, Year 12, Murray House

I chose to step into a school co-captain role because I want to achieve my full potential. And the role of captaincy puts you into new and sometimes challenging situations, but the experience gained is well worth it! Being able to embody the college values has driven me to excel in more than just leadership, such as determination, confidence, and being able to connect to other students rather than just my Year 12 peers.

As a captain, I am at the forefront of meaningful change at our school and coordinating those efforts. I can feel a sense of pride for every positive change we implement and an unstoppable sense of devotion to overcome any obstacles we face. I look forward to all the successes and challenges the year will bring!

My ambition for 2024 is to further develop the sense of pride to be at DSC by helping to organise events that are inclusive of all year levels, such as the recent Valentine’s Delivery event and future free-dress days. Furthermore, I am planning to implement more efficient cross-team communication in the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the other leadership teams as well as college staff. For example, a cross-link is needed between the Principal team and the SRC so that student concerns are heard but also the feasibility of some proposals can be analysed (think Coca-Cola-pouring drink taps!). Nonetheless, a leader is a pathfinder who lights the way. And ultimately, my goal is that when I finish Year 12, the next generation can pick up the torch and continue to improve DSC.

Sophie Nitschinsk, Year 12, Ovens House

Hi, I'm Sophie Nitschinsk!

I can't wait to be a part of the school captain team for 2024. When this opportunity came my way I was super keen, as I have strived to make the school environment both fun and educational, for not just my peers but the whole of our DSC community. 

A goal of mine this year is to build the pride all students hold towards our school, as well as encouraging a motivating and supportive culture, in which students and teachers feel passionate towards. I aspire to see students excited to engage in all of the opportunities our school provides, whether that be sporting, music, academic etc. Developing joy and comfort at school is a significant change I will endeavor to implement within the school grounds at our school.

I hope this year is filled with amazing milestones, memories and taken opportunities!

Give everything a go this year, it will be great!

Sophia Vesdrevanis, Year 12, Ovens House

Hi, my name is Sophia Vesdrevanis! I am so excited to be one of your school captains for 2024. I chose to step up to the opportunity as I have always been someone who loved school and I wanted to try to create a school environment in which everyone feels happy, safe, and free to be themselves. 

Something I am passionate about is how school enables us to grow in a supported environment and reach adulthood with not only academic knowledge but emotional and social capabilities. Therefore, I hope for our students to see the importance of school and see the reason for it. I also aim to increase school pride by helping students feel they belong at school and are appreciated. Overall, I hope for this year to be full of memories, growth, and fun with the support of our teachers and leadership teams!