By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
AT JUST 18 years old, Casey College School Captain Sammy Chapman already has a wealth of leadership experience.
Friday (10 July) marked the end of her last Student Representative Council Congress, an event that gives students around Victoria the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting their peers.
The 10th annual Congress was held at Melbourne University, open to Victorian students from Years 7-12 over three days.
Students attending participate in a series of workshops as well as a parliamentary-style debate to determine the issues most prevalent among school students.
An executive committee is then elected to carry out an agenda centred around the chosen issues.
A member of the Student Executive since Year 7, Sammy has been involved in numerous initiatives within schools aimed at ensuring students’ voices are heard.
She said common issues faced by students include solutions to bullying, the improvement of facilities and implementation of technology.
“It’s interesting discussing the challenges that are facing students at other schools and comparing similarities and differences,” she said.
“There are certain issues that come up a lot, and those are the things that we really try to concentrate on for the year ahead.”
After members of the executive are elected they are assigned with portfolios.
“My role this year was as a student councillor, with one councillor assigned to every 5000 students,” Sammy said.
“A lot of my work was research-based. We sent out surveys to find out what students thought about particular issues and what they wanted to see more of.
“We also lobbied for more student councillors, and there was recently an announcement that the funding has been allocated.”
Minister for Education James Merlino officially opened the Congress on Wednesday and participated in a Q&A discussion with students on a range of issues affecting young people.
He took the opportunity to congratulate the students on their active involvement and clear concern for their peers.
“The students’ commitment to making a positive change in their schools and communities demonstrates the strength of the student voice in Victoria,” he said.
“I am honoured to open the 10th Annual VicSRC Congress and have the opportunity to engage with the bright young minds of Victoria’s student representatives.”
Next year, Sammy has been accepted for training as an Intelligence Officer with the Australian Army.
She says her six years of involvement with the Student Representative Congress have been very rewarding.
“It’s good to be able to look back and see everything we’ve achieved,” she said.
“It’s been an amazing thing to be a part of.”
