Student Voice & Leadership

EXECUTIVE STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM

We are proud to introduce the Executive Student Leadership Team for 2026, a group of outstanding students who will play a key role in shaping school culture, amplifying student voice and leading their peers. 

Selections for the Executive Student Leadership Team followed a rigorous and competitive process, involving written applications, speeches, panel interviews, and staff and student feedback. We congratulate all students who applied and demonstrated passion, integrity and commitment to our school values.

Our Executive Captains are:

• Our School Captains (Year 12) for 2026 are Ruby Chapman, Prahlad Anand, Ruby Elshout and Elly Wilde.
• Our Intermediate Captains (Year 10) are Sarthak Negi, Miranda Linton and Emily Costa.
• Our Junior Captains (Year 8) for 2026 are Alice Farran, John Scully, Hannah Godfrey and Isabelle Ross.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Our new Student Leadership Framework for 2026 is designed to provide students with a clear developmental pathway from Year 7 to Year 12. This updated structure creates more opportunities for students to lead, contribute to school life and represent their peers.

This new framework will see our Executive Leaders overseeing and leading the wider Student Leadership Team which will consist of our House Captains (Year 12), International Captains, Student Representatives (successful applicants from Years 8-12) and Year 7 Form Captains. These students will work together to support school events, engage in fundraising activities, lead House activities and community projects.

More information regarding the application process for Student Representatives (Year 8–12) will be communicated to students via Compass in the coming week and information about the Year 7 Form Captain opportunities will be shared later in Term 1 once our newest students have had the opportunity settle into the school community. 

We look forward to seeing what this team can achieve together in 2026.

INTRODUCING OUR 2026 HOUSE CAPTAINS

A key highlight of the Year 12 Camp was the selection of our House Captains—student leaders who will play a vital role in shaping the year ahead and bringing our House spirit to life.

During the camp, all attending students participated in a student leadership workshop focused on reflecting on our school values and how these align with their own. Students explored the characteristics of effective leadership and discussed practical ways they can lead positively as senior students within our school community. Following this, students were invited to nominate themselves for the role of House Captain and, if they wished, speak in front of their peers. A student vote then took place to determine the successful candidates.

Our 2026 House Captains were proudly announced at whole-school assembly on Monday, in front of the entire school community. We congratulate this outstanding group of Year 12 leaders and look forward to seeing them continue to grow House spirit, lead with integrity, and make a positive impact throughout the year ahead.

Red House Captains: Milla McNeil & Evan Bainbridge

Ebony House Captains: Harvey Durno & Josh Merry

Gold House Captains: Ella Jabornik & Xavier Biggs

Purple House Captains: Charli Amos & Marco Sioulas

Green House Captains: Hamish Hay & Lauren Hotchin

Mango House Captains: Chloe Aspinall & Ben Orpwood

Silver House Captains: Cooper Hill & Isobel Macpherson

Blue House Captains: Caelan Jones & Asha Smith

Blue SEALP Captains: Ruby Masters & Anna Nelli

LEADER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Hello! My name is Elly Wilde, and I am incredibly grateful to have the privilege of being one of the 2026 School Captains. While many students were enjoying the final weeks of their summer holidays, the other School Captains and I were given the opportunity to attend a leadership conference in Melbourne. Held at Melbourne University College, YLead brought together almost 100 student leaders from schools across Victoria. Specifically, on night 2, we were in a group with people we had not yet talked to and were asked to talk about ourselves on a deeper, more personal level. This prompted a new idea that we, as captains, wanted to introduce at assembly (and in the Newsletter). So, I have the pleasure to introduce our new concept of ‘If you really knew me, you would know…’.

First of all, if you really knew me, you would know that I have aspired to be a leader since Year 5, when I first heard about school captain applications. From that moment on, the idea of being someone others could rely on — someone who listens, supports, and includes — stayed with me. Becoming school captain was not only about the badge, but about the responsibility that comes with it.

If you really knew me, you would know that I’m a perfectionist… right up until the deadline gets a little too close. I love taking my time with my work — making my books neat and my notes precise — and on more than one occasion, Mr Baker has told me my writing is abnormally neat, almost like it’s been typed. But as time has caught up with me, I’ve learned that priorities shift, and perfection sometimes has to make room for progress. 

If you really knew me, you would know that the advice I carry with me every day comes from the people back home. I’m very family-oriented, and my mum and dad have shaped the person I am — and the person I hope to become. And as many of you may know, my brother can be the most annoying person one day and the next he’s asking me to play backyard cricket, but no matter what, he always keeps me humble.

And finally, if you really knew me, you would know that leadership, to me, begins and ends with the people around me. I am incredibly proud to represent not only our school, but every student sitting here today, and the teachers who dedicate so much of themselves to supporting us. Thank you.

 Matt Hosking - Student Voice & Leadership