7 minute read
2021/2022 Leaders
Finding One's Spark: Reflections from the Student Leadership Team
Isabella James - Head Girl: KRB is a loving community built on the foundation of the five Sacred Heart Goals. These goals focus on a broad range of qualities; faith, intellect, social awareness, community, and growth, all of which are embodied by each individual KRB student, and most importantly do not require a specific student ‘mould’. KRB is formed from a diverse group of students in terms of sporting, and academic talents and simply, just their personalities. I would like to think everyone has an opportunity to follow a passion or excel individually. This year’s goal, “Building Community as a Christian Value,” has been embedded in our leadership focus for this year, and a key way we have catered to the needs of students is through our weekly Fun Fridays. This has provided an active and dynamic base for students across all years to unite through enthusiasm. The level of inclusivity that has been re-established since being back at school has enabled the individual needs of all students to be catered for, allowing them to have a special experience within the gates of Kincoppal-Rose Bay.
Adelaide Haddrill - Head Boarder: Within my leadership role, I was able to light the spark in every student through a number of initiatives, allowing students to find their passions and talents and also giving them recognition for their accomplishments. The range of different activities run in a fun and positive way motivated the students to become involved in different areas, including music, sport or art, giving them the chance to develop their passions and talents. These activities enabled the students to feel more connected and more included within the community. Students are also able to come together and motivate each other in a range of house-based activities, creating stronger bonds and friendships. These bonds have extended to other Eastern Suburbs schools. As Head Boarder I have also run the weekly formal dinners, which allow students to shine through recognition of their achievements. The election of ‘Boarder of the Week’ enables boarders to be recognised for their talents and their kind behaviours towards others.
Erica Eather - Head of Global Citizenship: Throughout my time as a leader at KRB, I put a major focus on trying to reconnect different students to the community in the aftermath of COVID-19. By having this focus, I was able to start and run two clubs throughout the year. The Student Advocacy Group discusses issues regarding LGBTQ+ awareness, the Black Lives Matter movement, racism, ableism and many more things that affect our community. Through creating this club, I was able to meet an array of students in different year groups who are all so uniquely incredible and have a passion toward giving voice to important issues.
During my time as a leader I also ran the Cultural Diversity Committee with the global leaders. This club is a space that celebrates the cultural diversity of our community. All students are involved with Cultural Diversity week which is an event that is much loved by the School.
Throughout my time at KRB, I have been able to meet so many students across different years and seen many of them shine as they express their passions and meet people who share those aspirations with them.
Chilli Evans - Head of Student Wellbeing: In my time at KRB, I have been provided with an amazing support system to propel me into my passions. The support provided by teachers at KRB allows students to feel supported and confident in both their studies and in preparation for examination. KRB provides students with incredible opportunities, such as the Write a Book in a Day initiative, which gave students the chance to test their authorship through a stimulating challenge and encourages students to step out of their comfort zones. This challenge allowed me to find my spark and extend my love for English and writing. Further, KRB provides amazing sporting opportunities such as Snowsports, which allowed me to find my spark in skiing. Snowsports allowed me to extend my passion for competitive skiing and motivate me to continue to train.
Chilli Evans
Audrey McDonald - Head of Justice & Peace: Being a Sacred Heart School, Kincoppal Rose-Bay prioritises the needs of its students. The establishment of immersion programs and opportunities which cater for the sense of individualism cultivated by the student body are examples of this. KRB reaches broader than academics, with activities including school sport, choir, student led committees, musical
productions, dance and the list goes on, to facilitate all student’s interests and allow these passions to become a place of not only personal outlet but also social opportunity. This has been affirmed through my personal experiences, which included trying out choir despite my questionable voice and attempting basketball in Year 7 despite being one of the shortest in the year. These experiences are encouraged strongly by the teaching staff at KRB. My Chemistry teacher Ms Young is an example of a teacher who allows her students to find their spark. Instead of just providing an answer, we are encouraged to explore a new avenue where the answer could be found. It is this type of culture which is manifested in all parts of KRB and due to this, the student spark is ignited.
Philly McDonald - Head of SRC: Throughout my time at KRB, I’ve come to appreciate the continually changing and adapting modes of Sacred Heart education which encourage a more contemporary means of learning and thinking. In my early years of high school, KRB provided a practical focus on an increase in technology throughout the classroom, which paved the way for my current interests in STEM related subjects and hobbies. One of my biggest takeaways from my time at KRB is a focus on real-world issues and the continual encouragment of students to either voice their opinion on the subject or take part in practical initiatives to help. As a result, in my role as Head of SRC, I’ve been inspired to take KRB’s focus on understanding and reflecting upon society in light of the Sacred Heart goals to try to understand more about the way the world works, both within and outside of school, and encourage other students to do the same.
Abbey Ridgewell - Head of Liturgy: Throughout my time at KRB, I have continually witnessed the way this School evolves and adapts to the changing world. In particular, in my leadership role, I was lucky enough to organise a Consent Education Evening in which students from 16 other schools around Sydney came together in a forum to advocate for consent education. This was in response to Chanel Contos’ inspiring work with the Teach Us Consent organisation. I was also able to get her to speak at this event. The way in which KRB allowed my student voice to be heard through encouraging and hosting this event was very special and something for which I am very grateful. KRB recognises the importance of forward and progressive thinking in catering to the needs of its students, and in this way, fosters growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. Lara Towler - Head of Boarding SRC: KRB makes a real effort to ensure every girl is known and genuinely cared for and this is reflected through our tightknit community. Every morning girls are welcomed by our Director of Students, Ms Scanlan, who knows every name of each girl in the Senior School. Something as simple as this allows the students to know they are genuinely cared for. This action is amplified through all the staff and students who communicate regularly, forming bonds that allow a deep and personal relationship with one another. The most powerful part about this is that it enables each student to be able to be heard and recognised as a unique and valued KRB community member.
"Within KRB's gates, a community of friendship, respect and love is nurtured every day to ensure each student is given the chance to grow and shine.”
Lauren Whiting
Lauren Whiting - Head of Sport: Providing a platform for students to feel comfortable and supported is the most important thing an individual with a leadership role can do and, as Head of Sport, I attempted to create this. Targeting Years 7 and 8 students I, alongside the 2021/22 Leadership Team, established the Cranbrook and KRB ‘Sports Arvos’. These afternoons provided a space in which KRB girls competed with Cranbrook boys in mixed teams to encourage finding unknown talents and stimulate respectful relationships between young women and men. The enthusiasm I witnessed from the KRB girls was a display of their true Sacred Heart spirit, shown through the smiles and competitive nature of each and every girl. The afternoons will carry on in next year’s Student Leadership Team in the hope that all year levels will have access to such a welcoming environment.
