Meet our College Captains
Kartik Pillai
When did you start your studies at St. Peter’s College?
My studies commenced here at St. Peter’s College when I was in Year 7 which was in 2014
Tell us about your family?
I come from a family of 4 which include both my dad, mum and my little brother who is also studying here at St. Peter’ College in Year 8. My parents migrated from Fiji in 1998 and both my brother and I were born here in Australia.
Tell us about your other interests?
I am a huge fan of sport; my favourite sport is basketball, I love to play it as well as watch it
Year 12 Studies:
This year I am studying English, Further Maths, Religion, Health and Human Development, Accounting, and an accelerated Uni subject at Deakin University called ‘Sport Management’
Have you already completed any of your VCE Studies prior to this year?
In Year 11, I completed units 3/4 in Business Management
2019 College Annual Theme
Take courage, it is I; be not afraid
What does this mean to you?
This quote to me means a lot as, ‘Take courage, it is I’ means to stand up and try to do something that might frighten you or even to do something that you wouldn’t necessarily do, coming out of your comfort zone, to not show yourself that you can do, but show others that if you are able to push through the barriers and they can too. ‘Be not afraid’ means to me to never be afraid of what I do and never be afraid of who I am, and I believe that is a strong quote to have in life because no matter what we will always have people putting us down but the only person that will never doubt you is yourself.
How will you live this statement throughout the year in your role?
I hope to carry this statement with me through 2019 and with everything I go through this year, this may be shown through my actions I present or the words that I speak,
What are your goals for 2019?
To show people that there is a leader in every single one of us and to express that in a unique way that shows who you are and what you’re here for.
For yourself in your Captains role?
My goals for 2019 as College Captain is to lead my peers without being the leader who stands at the front but more so pushing everyone from behind to face their biggest fears and have a go at everything, because at the end of the day we never know what we may or may not like if we never give it a go.
For yourself as a Year 12 student?
To enjoy my last year as a student with my friends, and have fun while working hard in my last year of high school.
Personally?
I want to be able to grow as a person, be more confident and be pushed to my limits to see how far they can be exceeded and to look back after and say that I’ve done it and have no regrets.
What would you like your legacy be for St. Peter’s College?
My legacy would be to leave students knowing that believing in yourself and putting yourself out there can get you places, to get people to be more comfortable around school and get out of their comfort zones, to come to school knowing each one of you are loved by your friends and teachers and more importantly that we aren’t just coming to school but to a place that we call home.
What are your immediate life ambitions and aspirations once you complete your studies at St. Peter’s College?
After Year 12 I would like to go on and study Sport Management & Sport Science at Deakin University, after I complete this course I want to continue to study and become a secondary teacher in Health and P.E.
What are your long-term life ambitions and aspirations?
Find a job I love and travel to places I’ve never been.
In one sentence what would you like to say to your fellow students to convey your pride in your College?
I’ll be leaving St. Peter’s College with so many friends who have now become my second family, enjoy every last bit of your final years with these guys but work hard and you can achieve any goal you set yourself.
Maureen Gabriel
When did you start your studies at St. Peter’s College?
I started in 2014 as a little year 7 student! (However, unfortunately I'm still little)
Tell us about your family?
At home it’s mum, dad, a younger sister who’s in year 4 and a younger brother who is in year 6. It’s a pretty exciting year for us as both my brother and I graduate this year and start new chapters in lives! Mum and dad were born in Egypt; however, I was born in Kuwait.
Tell us about your other interests?
I’m a Geelong supporter, I’m quite a softy and therefore started barracking for them when I watched them lose to Hawthorn in the 2008 Grand Final. I also love watching the rugby at AAMI park and I love the beach.
Year 12 Studies:
This year I’m doing Global Politics, Accounting, English, Further Maths and Psychology.
Have you already completed any of your VCE Studies prior to this year?
Yes! Did legal and it was my favourite.
2019 College Annual Theme
Take courage, it is I; be not afraid
What does this mean to you?
Reflecting on my personality from primary school, I was quite shy compared to now. There were a lot of things that I didn’t say or do or participate in because I was afraid. A lot of growing has happened since, as a result of making a conscience decision to “be not afraid”. A comment that is often shared to me from various people in my life is that, “be not afraid” is written 365 times in the bible. That is significant if you ask me, each day God sends us a message of courage - do something nice for someone you may not talk to, talk to someone who seems down, do the right thing when no one else is or keeping a smile on after a really bad day. Often when given an opportunity just like St Peter meeting Jesus on the water, we might allow anxiety and fear to dictate our decisions. The same way St Peter allowed the storm around him, distract him from his faith in Jesus, we might doubt ourselves and capabilities and therefore we decide we aren't good enough, there's someone better or that we're unworthy. This leads to missed opportunities and often regret. I talked about this verse in my captain speech because it is such a motivator and it formed the back bone of my message.
How will you live this statement throughout the year in your role?
In three main ways. Firstly, by taking on challenges that might make me feel anxious at first. This can include meeting new people, representing or acting on the behalf of the school or even stepping up and being prepared to do the right thing even when it’s the hard thing to do. Secondly it means never letting an opportunity pass without taking advantage of it to do something good, grow and share with others. Lastly, not being afraid of embarrassment. In my short time of being school captain, I can’t count on one hand how many times I've already done it but I have already accepted that there will be many more times to come.
What are your goals for 2019?
For yourself in your Captains role?
To be a captain that is productive, approachable and has a high level of respectful conduct. To be someone who will get things done and puts in sincere effort.
For yourself as a Year 12 student?
Figuring out a timetable and routine that works best for me, find a balance of different aspects of my life and to put the phone down.
Personally?
To push myself and to be able to look back and KNOW I have done everything I could have to get the best result I can get and make the most of my last year. This consists of making sacrifices and keeping busy with productive activities.
What would you like your legacy be for St. Peter’s College?
To inspire others through my actions, for younger peers to step back and think "if she/he/they can do it, I can do it". As I have mentioned before, I hope my peers don't fall victim to that horrible thing called doubt, it robs people of opportunities. I hope that I can plant a seed of courage so that everyone can be leaders. I hope people understand that you do not need a badge or a title just some courage and a smile.
What are your immediate life ambitions and aspirations once you complete your studies at St. Peter’s College?
Hopefully to study Criminal Justice at RMIT, travel to Fiji on an immersion trip with church and to visit the motherland (Egypt), my birthland (Kuwait) and hopefully a few other stops in between such as Dubai.
What are your long-term life ambitions and aspirations?
Find a career where I make an income while making an impact.
In one sentence what would you like to say to your fellow students to convey your pride in your College?
Our school motto is heavily applicable in all aspects of our lives, it is a noble thing to be courageous and I take pride in wearing "Be Not Afraid" on my uniform daily.