Student Voice

As the newly appointed Assistant Principal responsible for student voice, agency, and leadership at Sandringham College, I am delighted to share some exciting developments from this term. Since stepping into this role, I have had the privilege of working closely with our outstanding student leadership team, and I am continually impressed by their dedication, passion, and commitment.

Our young leaders embody the very spirit of Sandringham College. They take immense pride in our community and consistently strive for excellence—not only in their personal growth but in fostering an inclusive and positive environment for all students. Their vision is clear. Every student at our college should experience a high-quality education where they feel a strong sense of belonging and pride. These leaders are helping to shape a culture where students grow into young adults with strong character, resilience, and the desire to contribute meaningfully to society.

A special mention must be made of two of our Year 8 Captains, Rose Smith and Lachlan Stewart (pictured above), who took a leading role in organising our recent R U OK? Day initiative. This important day focuses on raising awareness around mental health and encouraging conversations that can make a real difference in people’s lives. Rose and Lachlan led the student leadership team in creating the Green Compass activity, which invited all students to write messages of appreciation for staff members — a heartfelt surprise that generated over 1,000 responses, showcasing the positive impact our staff have across the college community. We also held a Casual Clothes Day where students were encouraged to bring a gold coin donation in support of R U OK? Day, reinforcing the importance of kindness, connection, and mental health awareness in our school community. 

Beyond the R U OK? Day initiative, our student leaders at the Bluff Campus have stepped up to take on a larger role in leading year-level assemblies. They have confidently led the Acknowledgement of Country, presented student awards, and prepared an insightful presentation for their peers at the Junior Campus. This presentation, crafted by Rose Smith, Lachlan Stewart, Bailey Calleja, and Eli Andrews, was designed to encourage students to be actively involved and engaged participants in the upcoming Parent-Teacher-Student interviews. The team thoughtfully prepared the content and even staged photographs to help communicate their message effectively.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all our student leaders and the wider Sandringham College community for embracing these initiatives with such enthusiasm and care. Together, we are building a school where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential.

I look forward to continuing this journey alongside our students, staff, and families, as we nurture a culture of leadership, kindness, and excellence at Sandringham College.