Our 2023 School Captains are making headlines for their future aspirations and have been featured in the Courier Mail.
In their interviews, they shared their dreams and ambitions. From becoming doctors and engineers to business leaders, our inspiring leaders are setting their sights high.
As they continue on their journey, we have no doubt that they are on the right track to achieve their dreams and make a profound impact in their chosen fields. We are privileged to have them represent our school this year.
Below are the interviews featured in the Courier Mail on Wednesday, 8 November.
School Captains
Name: Edward Simon
How was your year as school captain?
I feel the best way to sum up any year of school is you get out what you put in. This year has been an incredible experience because of the opportunities I was fortunately presented with. Whether it’s meeting local MPs, leading ANZAC Day marches, being chased by a hundred little preppies or simply having weekly leadership catchup lunches, it has been both an honour and a privilege to represent and work with the Grammar community.
What have you enjoyed about being a school captain and what have you learned?
Although this may sound a bit contradictory, I believe the ‘expectations’ of a school captain have been what I enjoyed most. Maybe they created a feeling of pressure, but more importantly, they encouraged the team to ideate and implement innovative initiatives around the school. This leads me to what I’ve learnt: Ideas become reality when you work as a team. The charity sleepouts, trivia nights and Grammar News segments were only possible through the connected efforts of the 2023 SCGS leadership team.
What are your plans for the future?
Moving into 2024 and beyond, I have a few goals in the academic and sporting world. I will continue to train under the Sunshine Coast Grammar Swim team in hopes of making a final at the Australian Age National Swimming Championships. I am also applying to a few top colleges in the U.S.A. in hopes of studying computer science or engineering overseas.
Name: Amy Walker
How was your year as school captain?
My year as school captain was both a challenging and extraordinary experience. Upon first being offered this position, I knew that it would be a significant commitment and was told that it would make having free time a rarity. In many regards this is true, yet, because the events and activities I was to attend and sometimes run were initiatives that I already enjoyed doing, and being a part of the work didn’t feel like work but actually helped to balance my study and sport with other social and community events. Also, working in such an amazing and diverse leadership team made the whole year enjoyable and also helped bring our cohort closer together in the best way.
What have you enjoyed about being a school captain and what have you learned?
I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the community as I previously mentioned, especially going on the Timor Tour midway through the year to serve internationally alongside my peers and a handful of Year 11 students. Being a School Captain has provided me the opportunity to meet with other School Captains around the Sunshine Coast. The opportunity has also helped me to prepare and deliver many speeches and helped me to learn what it takes and what it means to be a leader, lessons that will no doubt be invaluable to me in the future.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are quite flexible in detail but definitely will include going to university and right now it looks like it will be for Medicine, Physiotherapy or Engineering. Travel is also important to me and I want to visit Europe, USA, and islands in Asia in the future. Mostly, I hope to remain in contact with many of my friends from school and to find what I love to do and make that my career.
Vice School Captains
Name: Oscar Punter
How was your year as school captain?
I’ve had a very enjoyable year; I feel like as a group we’ve been able to achieve and learn a lot and have lots of fun in the process.
What have you enjoyed about being a school captain and what have you learned?
I have enjoyed the process of meeting new people and trying to ideate ways to improve our school. Along the way I have learned the importance of initiating ideas early, as the organisation process can take a while, and have a new-found respect for the people who work behind the scenes, as their effort often goes unnoticed.
What are your plans for the future?
I have accommodation sorted for college in Brisbane next year and hoping to receive an ATAR high enough to allow me entry into Advanced Business at the University of Queensland. At some point in the next 5 years, I also plan on travelling to Europe.
Name: Scye Collen
How was your year as school captain?
I have loved being School Vice-Captain at Sunshine Coast Grammar School, as it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I was so grateful to be granted.
What have you enjoyed about being a school captain and what have you learned?
My favourite part was definitely connecting with other students, especially the younger ones. I have also loved working towards one goal with our 2023 leadership team, becoming closer as a group, and being able to meet the captains from other Presbyterian & Methodist Schools Association (PMSA) schools.
What are your plans for the future?
I am hoping to receive a place in Medicine and look forward to travelling the world as much as I can.