Wellbeing
In the know with the 2024 Student Leadership Team
Over the next few weeks there will be a series of profiles on the 2024 Student Leadership Team so that the community can get to know who they are and their intentions as leaders for the upcoming year. This week we gain insight on our Captain, Michael Sakr and Vice-Captains, Charbel Francis and Christian Katrib.
Michael Sakr
What is your leadership portfolio?
College Captain for 2024
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
A primary focus of mine is the importance of unity and therefore is something which I look forward to developing further within our College community. Receiving support from the community around you has a transformative impact on one's life, providing individuals with the strength, resilience, and resources they need to overcome challenges and thrive. This is an element that is alive in our school spirit and something I look forward to further building. Also, the opportunity to lead a legacy as a collective Class of 2024 is definitely a driving force and a form of motivation for me to make a lasting impact.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Despite me being very camera shy, something that many may not know, and I often forget about this myself, was during my pre-schooling years I was a baby model/actor. At the age of 5, I featured in a series called “Deadly Women” and was intending to travel internationally for a few shoots.
What is your preferred way to unwind?
Although it may seem ironic, I often unwind by going to the gym or by allocating time on the weekend to spend time with friends. This often takes my mind off the pressures of school and rejuvenates me for the day or week ahead.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
A song that could pass as a good theme song for my life is “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. The renowned, quintessential rap articulates the importance of making the most of every moment, with the inclusion of a chorus that calls for action from the listener, (“You better - lose yourself in the music, the moment. You own it, you better never let it go”) encouraging everyone to be present and seize opportunities.
Charbel Francis
What is your leadership portfolio?
College Vice-Captain for 2024.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am looking forward to working in combination with my fellow captains in organising the Student Leadership Team in terms of developing initiatives, school events and improving the daily life at St Pat’s. I am also excited about working with the Year 11 cohort in my role.
I want to meet and get to know people across different year groups and be a mentor for boys coming through the school as well as taking inspiration and learning from my peers and teachers.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I am one of six children. I have four brothers and one sister. I am the youngest (and the smartest) of the boys. Despite the size of my family, I am very close and have a unique relationship with each member.
What is your preferred way to unwind?
Reading or listening to music. After having a stressful day at school, putting aside tasks and finding time for myself, reading my current novel or listening to my favourite music.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
“Nights” by Frank Ocean, it is my favourite song. The song talks about the stress and busyness of the day and unwinding and destressing during the night. It highlights the importance of balance which I value.
Christian Katrib
What is your leadership portfolio?
College Vice-Captain 2024.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am looking forward to working in combination with the other captains to lead the Student Leadership Team towards putting into action initiatives, events and ultimately encouraging boys across all year groups to participate wherever possible. As part of my role also want to support Year 11 in all that they do. I am most excited about working towards developing the comradery of the College. Additionally, I am keen to meet and work alongside leaders across all grades to propose opportunities for all students to get involved and experience the St Pat’s spirit and passion.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Something about me that others may be surprised to know is that I have been an uncle since the age of 10; I have a niece and a nephew. Furthermore, there is a 16-year age gap between my eldest sibling and me.
What is your preferred way to unwind?
My preferred way to unwind is sitting outside watching the sunset. It is important to get out and simply cherish the nature that we are fortunate to have around us. It is through these experiences that I find peace within my day.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
A good theme song for my life is “The Nights” by Avicii. This song relates to experiences in which an individual encounters throughout life, and advocates for simply enjoying life. My favourite line of this song is “One day you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you will remember.” We often take for granted the opportunity of waking up every morning and we are always caught up in what is to come in the future rather than living in the moment. This song ultimately relates to my own experiences as I often remind myself that tomorrow is not guaranteed, and it’s important to enjoy the present.