Driving leadership and community engagement

It’s been a busy time for a group of Year 6 students from Richmond School who took on the challenge of putting themselves forward for roles on the student council in hopes they would be elected to leadership and engagement positions.

The student council, guided by associate principal Glenna Armstrong for the past six years, empowers student voices, drives positive change, fundraises, builds community relations, and has been part of the school for 19 years. This year, the council comprises 23 Year 3 to 6 students.

“I am pleased I got in this time as it’s my last year here, so I am very happy,” Year 6 student Noah Henk says.

The process of getting elected is rigorous, but fair, says Glenna.

“To get nominated into the leadership roles, children need to fill in an application about themselves, have two candidates such as past teachers sign to support their nomination, and undergo a classroom election. From there, they need to deliver a speech to the whole school. This year we had really strong candidates and wonderful speeches.”

Secretary Grace Harper highlights the election process as a chance for personal growth, putting yourself out there and learning whilst contributing to beneficial outcomes for the school and community.

Elected student council president Thea Ferris-Robbins says when she heard she was elected as the president, she “couldn’t believe it”.

“Everyone was clapping, and I was really excited... I wanted to try something new and fun, so I am very happy.”

Emily Taylor, elected to a newly-created office support co-position with Blake Canning and Noah Henk, says she loves seeing people happy and the highlight of the student council for her is encouraging fun fundraisers.

“Fun fundraisers make everyone happy and it’s important to me that everyone’s voices are heard, I like to make people smile.”

Oliver McGuiness, inspired last year by the student council, secured the vice-president co-position with Anche Meiring, who says that as well as being a voice between students and teachers, the duo will assist and thank school visitors, deliver messages, and “other helpful things”.