Student Leadership

VicSRC Congress

Over the school holidays Frankston High School selected six students to represent the school at the VicSRC Congress in Melbourne run by students, for students and attended by the Minister for Education.

VicSRC Congress brings students together from all across the state to decide on the issues that really matter to Victorian students.  Through interactive workshops and parliamentary-style debate, student delegates determine the VicSRC policy agenda for the coming year, and appoint the Student Executive that will implement it.

Two students, Samuel Ilobuchi (Year 10) and Gerard Felipe (Year 11) were appointed to the Executive and will advocate for students across Victoria, which is a very proud moment for Frankston High School.

Gerard Felipe

(Year 11)

Samuel Ilobuchi

(Year 10)

Congratulations to all those who attended: Samuel Ilobuchi (Year 10),

Tyler Goodridge (Year 10),

Ruvimbo  Gambiza (Year 9),

Danai Harawa (Year 11),

Lizette Gerryts (Year 11),

Gerard Felipe (Year 11) and

Bridin Walker (Year 11, volunteer).

By Lauren Costanzo

Acting Director of Student Leadership and Community Engagement

• 180 students across Victoria
• 6 students from Frankston High School
• One venue
• The sound of student voice

From Wednesday 6 July to Friday 8 July, six students from Frankston High School; Sam Ilobuchi, Danai Harawa, Lizette Gerryts, Gerard Felipe, Ruvimbo Gambiza and Tyler Goodridge had the privilege to lead and attend the Victorian Student Representative Councils Annual Congress event.

Congress is an event designed for students across Victoria to come together, collaborate, brainstorm and develop solutions to be implemented into Victorian schools across the state.

Ten groups are evolved at congress, all surrounding different aspects of the Victorian schooling system, from these ten groups ideas are produced and then go on to be showcased on the third day, at the congress opening morning.

The congress opening morning was for all groups to liaise with politicians, stakeholders, other students and really drill down as to why their group idea should be something the education department and the VicSRC should work on at a state level.

From the congress morning, ideas are then put into a parliamentary style debate.  At the official congress session where they are all debated and voted on to become the VicSRC key focus for the 12 months that follow after congress.

One of the highlights of congress was definitely the gala dinner on the first night which had a circus and masquerade theme. From musical performances to circus acts, to laughter and joy. It really brought together the roar of the student voice.

One thing that every delegate can take away from Congress is that Congress gives students the power to be heard, and the power to have their say.

By Danai Harawa, Year 11

Congress is the most anticipated event of the year.  Hosted by the Victorian Student Representative, held at Ormond College, The University of Melbourne saw over 180 student representatives from across 60 schools in one room working hand in hand to combat the issues that matter most to our education.  It was the first time Congress opened up to the community, with over 300 students, teachers and the education sector stakeholders who attended the parliamentary style debate, including the likes of Sam Hibbins MP and Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, David Howes, just to name a few.  I was fortunate to be elected by students at Congress and was appointed as an Executive Member to the VicSRC.  I look forward to representing the views and opinions established by students across the state, and to ensure our voices are not only heard but also acted upon at a State level.

By Gerard C. Felipe, Year 11

On 6 July until 8 July I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the 2016 VicSRC Congress at Ormond College in Melbourne.

It goes without saying that my time at congress this year was more than amazing. With the great people, venue, food and discussion topics it's hard to think that such an event would be anything  other than extraordinary.  This year I was placed in the issue group of classroom management where I learned so many things about what Frankston High School does well and what I, as an SLC student, can do to make Frankston High School an even better learning environment for our education.  Congress included many workshops like team building, boot camp and tools of trade for SLC.  The full-on three days at congress was an invaluable learning experience for my interpersonal development.  The days were jam packed with brainstorming, listening to inspirational speakers, a few games and of course whatever else was thrown in the mix.  This was was also a fantastic opportunity to make friends with like-minded people which I would normally not have the opportunity to do.  As school students we have a voice which deserves to be heard and this is just one platform where this is possible.  We can make a beneficial change to education for our generation.     

By Lizette Gerryts, Year 11