Teaching and Learning
By Trudy Gau
On Wednesday 18th March, our Super Six and House Captains had the exciting opportunity to attend the Dream and Lead Conference 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with myself and Jane Briffa.
This inspiring one-day event, run by Youth Leadership Academy Australia, brought together student leaders from across Victoria to develop their leadership skills, confidence and ability to make a positive impact within their school communities. Throughout the day, students engaged in interactive sessions focused on teamwork, communication, goal setting and creating meaningful change.
Our students demonstrated outstanding engagement, representing our school with pride while connecting with other young leaders and reflecting on what leadership looks like in action.
Key Messages from the Conference:
The speakers and facilitators shared powerful advice for young leaders, encouraging students to:
- Lead yourself first – strong leadership begins with self-awareness, mindset and personal responsibility
- Work with others, not against them – collaboration is more powerful than competition
- Use your voice - effective communication is key to creating change
- Set goals and take action - leadership is about turning ideas into reality
- Be resilient - setbacks are part of the journey and help build stronger leaders
- Make a difference now - young people have the ability to create real impact in their communities
These messages reinforced that leadership is not about a title, but about actions, choices and the impact we have on others.
Our Student Reflections:
“I learnt that leadership is not about being in charge, it’s about helping others and making a difference.”
“The conference showed me that even small ideas can create big change if you take action.”
“I want to use my role to make sure everyone feels included and heard.”
Looking Ahead:
We are incredibly proud of our student leaders for embracing this opportunity. They have already begun sharing their ideas and we are excited to see the positive impact of their leadership in action throughout the year.
