Prefect Induction

Plenty Campus School Captain, Cristian Corvetti, Year 12

At the Plenty Campus, we were recently inducted as Prefects where all 12 of us took a special oath that made us reflect on how we got here and what an honour it is to be representing the school. It was both a humbling and an energising experience as it signified the trust and belief that our peers, teachers, parents and the School community have in us.  

At the beginning, we were all assigned a specific portfolio and role to fulfill in the School. Roles included student leadership, interschool relations, academic culture, community relations, environmental improvements, and enhancements to the Year 12 cohort. We have been given a task to complete within a portfolio throughout the year which gives us a gauge on where the portfolio was at the start of the year, and how it has been improved by the end of the year.  

These folios are achieved by reaching out to our teachers and peers, listening to what their view is and any suggestions on how we can add goals to achieve by the end of the year. We break down larger and more time-consuming goals into clear, small, attainable actions that can be completed frequently. Anything is achievable when communicating and collaborating with those around us, always keeping the bigger picture in mind. The bigger picture is to inspire and guide other students, by leaving a legacy behind that can be looked upon for the generations of Ivanarians to come.  

Being entrusted by the School to uphold its character attributes of being courageous, innovative, balanced, collaborative, ethical, reflective and compassionate feels extremely special to be a part of. Overall, being a Prefect at Ivanhoe goes beyond wearing a blue tie - it is a commitment to represent the School’s values, support others, and serve as a role model in everything completed both inside and outside the classroom.  

Ridgeway Campus School Captains, Grace Alberti and Lucas Bland, Year 12

Grace

Good Morning. I would like to begin by extending a warm welcome to all staff, students and special guests. We are incredibly grateful to have you all here to celebrate a group of talented and motivated young leaders that have been selected as prefects for this upcoming year. Alongside Jasmine and Christian, Lucas and I are incredibly humbled by the opportunity to serve the student body as your 2025 School Captains and lead our school in a year of growth, innovation, and improvement. Before we explore our vision for the school, I would like to extend our congratulations to the prefect team. Each and everyone of you have already contributed greatly to the Ivanhoe community which is why we are so confident in the ability of this group to truly lead a wide range of improvements across the school, as this year we’re committed to implementing our vision through not just words, but actions. 

Lucas

If there is one thing to take away from this assembly it’s this: Your voice has power, and you can enact change if you’re brave enough to use it. As captains, our vision is centred around maximising the power of your voice and giving you more agency over your highschool. The 4 of us standing here today believe that the student body is not afforded enough opportunities to give feedback or discuss ideas, and we are committed to changing that. As we talk today about student voice, agency, power and influence, know that we mean improving your ability to better your Ivanhoe experience.  

Lucas

School culture is everything. Before we talk about how to implement any vision it is important to explain the impact senior years culture has on students' power. Although we would like to see every student take ownership of their time at Ivanhoe, we know that not all of us do. From discussions with the prefect group and members within the school community, we believe that as a senior years cohort, it is our responsibility to set a clear example for younger years. That we value all ideas, that Ivanhoe is a place where you can speak your mind and that anyone can elicit progress. In my experience, highschool goes fast, and for this short period where we’re all role models for the school, let’s commit to maintaining and improving Ivanhoe's healthy culture for future students. 

Grace

As Lucas said, bettering the experience of Ivanhoe students is our top priority. We believe this can be best achieved by providing more opportunities for student voice to be shared and advocacy to be enacted.  

Leadership is not about titles or positions—it’s about using your voice in an act service. It’s about listening with empathy, speaking with integrity, and acting with purpose. This year, we are not only here to represent you, but to listen to your ideas, address your concerns, and work together to create an environment where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered. But for this to be achieved we need you all to speak up. Our first step will be to provide all with the opportunity to do so within student led forums. 

Grace

Providing the student body with a safe and open minded space to advocate for change is a key priority of ours as we want to hear your positive feedback, complaints and suggestions. We understand that there are many things Ivanhoe does well, and we want to celebrate those successes. But we also recognize that there are areas where improvement is needed, and your feedback will help guide those changes. We don’t expect immediate transformation, but with consistent effort and collaboration, we can make lasting improvements that benefit the entire student body. 

Whilst we will create an environment where feedback can be shared, we also need you to buy into this process. Instead of remaining unhappy, share your concerns and we can work to address them. No change comes from silence which is why we are committed to creating a culture where we as leaders are approachable and your feedback is valued and prioritized. However we need you to speak up and share even the most trivial concerns because it's the small changes that can positively impact the most people and that is whats most important.  

Lucas

As Captains we can recognise that few feel like they have the platform, the courage and the vision to fully advocate for an idea or even raise a concern. However, what does “improving student voice” look like? At the ridgeway campus every term, grace and myself will run a Middle years, Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12, open invitation forum for any student to present ideas, or discuss challenges within their cohort. So if you’re someone who is keen to speak up, and share your experiences, look out next year. As Grace said, our role as school captain is meaningless without your voice. 

Another point of contention within the senior years community is the issue of cross campus collaboration. UC is a rich opportunity to connect socially with plenty students, however, some of us feel like we can’t keep up those connections. With the help of both Ridgeway and Plenty prefect groups, Grace and I will also implement more programs where campuses can participate in healthy competition. As captains, we believe that we’re one school, and it's time to change the culture surrounding campus differences.  

These issues are instrumental in upholding the schools values and if addressed collectively will allow us to improve the Ivanhoe experience for years to come.  

Grace

Now to the class of 2025, we have already begun the most stressful and intense yet joyful and liberating final year of school. The pressure we will face, highs and lows we will experience and challenges we will conquer will no doubt be difficult and sometimes disheartening. But despite the angst and fear some may feel, there is an overwhelming opportunity for growth here and now.  

This year will challenge us, but it will also open doors to opportunities for development in ways we might not expect and its what we do with these opportunities that allows us to leave a meaningful legacy behind. I know our legacy is something that's mentioned at every turn we face this year, but I can’t help but emphasise how truly important it is. 

Our legacy is the most meaningful thing we will leave behind. It’s not defined by our achievements, awards, or academic performance, but by the quality of our relationships, friendships, kindness, and generosity. These are the things that will be remembered.  

Lets strive for unity this year and elimtate all divisions. We want to create a community with no social hierarchy, where all are empowered and encouraged to go beyond whats familiar and truly grow without the fear of judgement and criticism. If we collectivlty agree to embrace challenges, support one another and call out divisive behaviour we can carry on the Ivanhoe culture and build a truly remarkable legacy. 

That’s why I urge you to embrace and invest in our vision. As the Class of 2025, we have the power to shape our school’s culture, improve the social environment, and utilise our collective student agency. We must speak up when change is needed and take responsibility for the environment we are all a part of.  

Lucas

No school is perfect. Over the next year, we can’t promise to make ivanhoe perfect either. What we can say is that the 4 of us standing here today will advocate for you. Tell us what you want to see out of high school. Some of you have passions that aren’t being fully cultivated. Others could care less about extracurriculars and want more subjects to be offered in IB. And some of us, honestly, just want to get the year. In our short tenure in this position, we aspire and are committed to represent your interests as young people of character. Nobody’s perfect, but let's make real change in 2025. Thank you.