From the Principal Leader

Student Leaders' Commissioning Ceremony

This week, we held our Student Leaders' Commissioning Ceremony in our Performance Centre. This is an event that is normally held in our school COLA (outdoor space), but unfortunately, due to the rain on Wednesday, this needed to be held indoors.  I am very grateful to the preparation and organisation of our Assistant Principal’s Mrs Julie Petrovski and Mrs Natalie Vella, who coordinated this beautifully in a short timeframe with the fast-approaching inclement weather.

I would like to include an excerpt from my Principal's address emphasising that our leaders follow in the important values of Caroline Chosholm our patron and will leave a great legacy for future students of uri college.

“ In commissioning the student leaders today, I know that our student leaders will be positive and empowering role models for every girl in this outstanding ‘all girls’ college! This ceremony is one that is normally a whole school assembly, however due to the wet weather we have girls here from every single year representing our college community. Each one of these leaders could in fact be any one of you sitting here before me. Our 2025-2026 leaders have all the ingredients of a very good recipe ! Each one of them is a special ingredient and will complement each other, and together they will make an incredible recipe for success here at Chisholm. Like Caroline Chisholm, our college patron, these students model the values of courage, faith and justice and are the voice of the students of this community advocating for each one of you.

On behalf of the staff, students and parents of the college, I would like to commend you for your courage in putting yourself forward for this role, when it is much easier to sit back and let someone else do this work. I hope that you will draw strength and inspiration from Caroline Chisholm’s pioneering spirit and know that you are also enacting the work she commenced in helping communities and women of Australia in her time. She shared the same spirit as Australia’s first saint Mary Mackillop who both helped the marginalised in the community: the homeless, the oppressed and of course women in need in our society be provided with housing and education.

To the leaders we commission: you have been chosen by your peers and staff because you have demonstrated dedication, kindness, integrity and the capacity to inspire. We chose you because you are willing to step forward. That willingness is the most important quality of leadership. Leadership is not about popularity or privilege; it is about responsibility — to listen, to act and to care.

The work of leadership is challenging and encouraging at the same time. Let me be clear about what we expect from you, and what you can expect from us. I expect you to lead by example: to show respect for others, to be punctual and prepared, to speak with honesty and to act with compassion. I expect you to listen — not just to hear words, but to understand concerns, to seek diverse perspectives, and to make space for voices that have been quiet. I expect you to be courageous: to challenge unfairness, to advocate for those who can’t always advocate for themselves, and to take initiative in service of the common good. “

Congratulations to all our students who have been selected to adopt the role of leadership commencing Term 4 2025 and concluding at the end of Term 3 2026. May your time be one of great learning and support in advocating for the sisterhood of our college. I am very proud of all girls: those who will wear the leadership badge and take on specific responsibilities, and those who lead through modelling the values of courage, faith and compassion in their everyday actions in the Chisholm community, their families and the broader community.

2025/26 Yr 8 - 10 2026 Student Leadership

 May God continue to guide and grace you with his blessing each and every day.

Mrs Tania Cairns

Principal Leader