Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The last few months I've had the privilege of travelling around local schools in Bennelong to present leadership awards to their school leaders. I do these visits because I want to use my role as a member of parliament to help encourage our school leaders and all students to take up leadership opportunities when they can. Leadership is not merely about hiding a position of title; it's about serving others and making a positive difference in their lives. We need more leaders, so today I want to give a shout out to all the young leaders in Bennelong who are giving this a go.

From Saint Charles in Ryde we have school captains Ruby Bedoya and Jacob Mickel, along with their colour house captains Georgia Papallo, Hugo Hadden, Sophia Cavallo, Ben Maroney, Sara Tosh, James Risben, Giselle Ponzi and Aston Bulmelhelm.

At Arden Anglican School, secondary captains and vice-captains include Lachlan Zia, Laura Pinyon, Zachary Seabrook and Isabel Aujierre. The junior captains and vice-captains are Nathan Kim, Marisa Tryall, Henry Swanson and Miu Yuijang.

Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School has captains Yashar Rampasad and Caitlin Earls, and vice-captains Janice Kim and Jayden Kim, along with their creative arts colour house and SRC representatives.

North Ryde Public School honours its school captains Harland Dankes and Claire Wang; vice-captains, Arnev, Aisla and Leyla Mahoney; and SRC members Mitchell McGregor, Noah Ustieya, Emma Lim and Monica Aurelo.

At Karonga School we recognise the leadership of William Leigh and Brendan Stone.

Epping West Public School celebrates its captains Charlie Shin and Brooklyn Chen and vice-captains Oshie Dutter and Justin Wu.

Marist college is led by college captain Benjamin Tao; vice-captains, Jase Satuwahla and Charles Ward; with an extensive team of supporting leaders, including Joshua Burns, Mina Moses, Luca Boyd, Jerome d'Beduani, Ellie Burrowes, Archibald Kingham, Xavier Musli, Benjamin Xu and Darius Mushtagi.

Ryde Secondary College acknowledges captains Alexandra Dennet and Nate Killoughby, vice-captains Haley Phipps and Luke Oshea and their team of prefects.

Lastly, Eastwood Heights Public School celebrates its school leaders Chloe H, Terrence X, Nolan D and Charlotte F, along with school ministers Olivia H, Ellie H, Aiden B, Roa S, Oliver L, Irene A, Luca R, Jessica R, Evie S, Layla W, Liv F, Amelia L, Stacey D, Rydia S, Sophie L and Tyler F—I got through them all. I want to congratulate all these amazing school leaders. Leadership can sometimes take its toll, so I want to give you a big shout-out here in parliament. Thanks for what you're doing.

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