Captains' Corner

Emma Campbell, College Captain

Hi, I’m Emma, and I’m so excited to be your 2026 College Captain! Here’s a little bit about me so I can start becoming a friendly face you can recognise.

When I finish school... I hope to study Agricultural Science at the University of Melbourne. Agriculture is a subject I am very passionate about, and I’ve grown up spending time on farms and around animals, so the opportunity to work alongside farmers to help produce food for all of Australia is a career I really look forward to.

Some of my favourite school experiences have been... the incredible camps that Norwood provides. I’ve travelled to Central Australia, Borneo (Malaysia) with World Challenge, and Mount Buller on snow camp. These experiences have helped me grow my independence, build confidence, and create amazing memories with friends and peers.

The best piece of advice I have received... came from my Mum, who often reminds me of the importance of learning “to dance in the rain.” This advice encourages me to stay positive and thrive even during challenging times, which is something I believe is essential for maintaining a strong wellbeing.

In 2026, I am most looking forward to... being more involved in Norwood’s incredible community, as well as getting to know all the students and listening to what they need from their school experience and working together to make those ideas a reality.

Oren Bheem, College Captain

When I finish school... I want to study engineering at Canberra’s Defence Academy which offers scholarships to aspiring military officers. Through the academy and the wider defence force, I want to have the opportunity to challenge myself in unique environments and have experiences that can develop me as a person.

My most memorable school experience was... the 2024 overseas group trip to Borneo. Personally, I really enjoyed connecting with a close-knit group of peers, exploring the unique culture, wildlife and environment, whilst conquering mental and physical challenges.

The best piece of advice I’ve been given was... “never settle for anything less” and I try to apply this to my life. I value never settling for anything that is sub-par to my expectations and it reminds me to push myself and to give effort that is at my personal best.

In 2026 I am most looking forward to... spending time with my cohort, especially through sports carnivals, dress up days and other activities that will help us make some worthwhile memories before we leave highschool.

Heidi Cowie, College Vice Captain

When I finish school I hope to… go to university and study medicine, I am currently looking to then specialise in either paediatrics or in emergency. I want to be able to help people during difficult times.

My favourite school experience was… the Central Australia trip. Being able to spend almost two whole weeks camping with friends was so much fun. I learnt heaps on the trip, especially on Indigenous Australian culture.

The best piece of advice I have been given is… to do the things you enjoy. School can be stressful so breaking up that workload with sport and/or hobbies can make it so much easier!

In 2026, I am most looking forward to… collaborating with students and teachers, bringing everyone together at school. I can’t wait to enjoy my last year here at Norwood and work with the other school captains and prefects to make this year one to remember!

Lloyd Aukstin, College Vice Captain

When I finish school... I hope to make a positive impact by pursuing a career in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as an Investigator, where I will prevent and investigate criminal activity on a national level. Ever since I was little, I had always wanted to join the military, however my developing interests in transnational crime and critical thinking skills led me to change that decision to a role more suitable to my skillset being a future job in the AFP. Through this future role I will be able to combine my passion for leadership with a career in law enforcement. I hope that when I join as a member of the AFP I will continue to be challenged and develop skills that I have learnt from leadership positions and my time at Norwood.

My favourite school experience... has to be Snow Camp in Year 10. It was an amazing opportunity to bond with friends and teachers up at Mount Buller. I still remember the feeling of enjoying the hot breakfasts before heading out onto the slopes where a mix of fun, teamwork and independence made it an unforgettable experience for all the students. On top of that falling over about 10-20 times before being able to properly ski and crashing a few times was all a part of the fun. Luckily, I managed to get better at skiing with the group ski lessons that we got. Seeing how much closer everyone became from that trip and the conversations and memories from it that still come up is a nostalgic flash from the past and highlights how awesome overall the trip was for us!

The best piece of advice that I have been given is... to "just keep showing up." The first time someone said that was my boxing coach, but I find it much more applicable to a learning environment. Personally, it is a reminder to me that the more I strive for excellence and the more that we all try our best, the better the results that will be achieved from our efforts. Consistency and effort is what matters and we must never underestimate the power of persistence, especially on those tough days that all of us sometimes have. At school and in life in general, showing up with the right attitude every day makes a massive difference and can even help inspire those around you positively and to have that same positive attitude, which is what I believe we should all strive to do.

In 2026, I am most looking forward to... welcoming the new Year 7s to the school and helping them settle into their learning environments with confidence in their own ability to succeed with those around them. Not only the new Year 7s, but I hope to encourage future leaders to take on every opportunity that comes their way in the school, so that they can all be leaders whether it comes with a badge or not. In 2026 I will continue to be a positive influence and help shape a strong leadership culture fostering school values and the ability of every student to be the best versions of themselves that they possibly can.