Meet Our College Captains

Dilmi Ratnayake, Arts Captain - Cranbourne

What do you see as your role as a leader?

As a leader, you have to take the first step in leading a community with good values and actions, and through this I envision this leadership position to be one where I serve my collective community of St Peter's College with kindness and a yearning for improvement throughout the school. Leaders do not only focus on enjoyment or have favourites, but instead look to the community as a whole and allow those who are not noticed to feel validated. 

What is one of the positives about being a student at St. Peter's College?

The friendliness and welcoming atmosphere that you are greeted with at St Peter's College is a very positive aspect of being a student here. The diversity of people here including ethnicity, personality and talent makes you feel included in every aspect and shows a strong sense of unity. 

Who is the one person you admire most and why?

A person who I admire the most is my best friend Bella. Without her, I honestly don't think I could have made it through high school as she is the main reason I am happy at school. She is hardworking when it really matters and inspires me to be the best version of myself everyday. 

What are your goals as Captain in 2023?

Some of my goals this year include creating a safe space for people who want to experience or work on their artistic practice in all aspects from traditional art, to performing arts. Creating a community in which people feel happy to come to me or others in order to use or learn about artistic practices is a big goal of mine.

 2023 College Theme

“Let your Light Shine” - Matthew 5:16

 How will you live this statement through your leadership role?

Letting everyone's light shine is a statement in which incorporating it into daily life can be done so in a literal and/or figurative sense. Living this through my leadership role of arts captain means allowing people to show their talents and be recognised for them, in a welcoming and kind community. 

Zelandia Schwalger, Arts Captain - Clyde North

What do you see as your role as a leader?

When I see myself as a leader, I see someone who has to ability to impact another person with the power they are given. But in order to do that, a leader must be able to step outside of their comfort zone, as well as having to do things they usually might not do. That is what stood out to me when I became a leader. I find myself having to step outside of my usual comfort levels constantly, and being more proactive in school events such as talking in front of crowds, calling out bad behaviour, staying back after school to help out, and speaking up for my calling as the arts captain. As the weeks go by I feel myself becoming more and more confident and coming to enjoy my role even more. Being a leader has already helped me better myself and I hope to use my role to better others as well.

What is one of the positives about being a student at St. Peter's College?

I enjoy the diversity of cultures within our school community as well as the friendliness that I have witnessed personally. St Peter’s to me is a welcoming environment where I can be myself and learn different experiences through my friends, teachers and other students. 

Who is the one person you admire most and why?

The people I admire the most are my parents. They migrated here from New Zealand to provide my brother, myself and my three other siblings a greater opportunities in life. My parents have always wanted the best for their children and have always wanted us to strive for more. They encourage me to always try new things and leave a positive impact on others. That is why I chose to take up a leadership role in my last years of school. I want to make my parents and the rest of my family proud knowing that I can make a change.

What are your goals as Captain in 2023?

My goals as the Arts Captain of 2023 are to encourage more participation within all the year levels. I have seen extraordinary amounts of talented students in our school community, so I would love to be able to help St Peter’s students grow their love of the arts by having art activities accessible to everyone. Another goal I would like to achieve this year is the completion of the St Peter’s art piece. With the guidance and help of the art teachers, and the support of our fellow students, I hope to be able to have the 2023 art piece finished by the time I end my final year at St Peter’s College. I hope to leave an impact on anyone after my leave and to inspire others to have fun and participate more in school activities.

 2023 College Theme

“Let your Light Shine” - Matthew 5:16

 How will you live this statement through your leadership role?

When I think of the theme 'Let your light shine', I believe it means to not be afraid to show what you are capable of doing, and being able to share your talents with others. I think it's one of my favourite themes so far as it is short and simple yet so powerful in its meaning. I think by encouraging my peers to let their talents shine by having art activities available is how I will be able to live this statement as the arts captain.