Introducing Nishi Jayawickrema Head Girl 2023
Our 2023 Student Executive were elected last week. Over this week and next, we’ll be introducing you to our Head Girl and Head Boarder.
This week we are pleased to introduce Nishi Jayawickrema, Head Girl for 2023.
What do you hope to bring to the College community in your role as Head Girl in 2023?
As Head Girl in 2023, I hope to build upon the pre-existing unity within our College community. Forming new friendships with students from other year groups over these past six years, has proven to be truly invaluable, and I hope that alongside the 2023 Student Leadership Council, that we can further break down barriers that may exist between year groups by providing more opportunities for students to meet and connect with each other.
Acknowledging and celebrating the student voice is also what I am very passionate about. Everyone has differing opinions, ideas, and strengths. I believe the key to progression and facilitating meaningful change, lies within understanding each of these voices.
I hope to encourage all students to love and care for each other fiercely, celebrate what makes us unique as individuals and discover how they too can contribute to the College and our broader community in their own unique way. Additionally, I also hope to encourage all students to pursue their interests, even if it’s something they’ve never thought of trying before!
Santa Maria is a community where self-discovery is lush, and a place I believe we are can truly discover who we are and where our strengths, passions and interests lie. Hence, I hope to empower all students that we are each capable of pursuing and achieving any of our ambitions, with an open heart, an open mind, and a thoughtful harnessing of the mercy spirit.
We each have the ability to strive to reach our fullest potential and leave our mark on the world, in whatever avenue that may be. I am extremely honoured to be Head Girl for 2023, and I look forward to getting to know our community better and serving others through my leadership!
Why did you apply for a leadership position?
I applied for this role, with the hopes to simply give back. Santa Maria has provided me with not only an unparalleled education and life-long connections, but the past six years have shaped me as a person and is what has led me to discover my passion and love for leadership. I love that leading allows me to meet new people, and that with a listening ear and positive attitude, I can act and make changes for the better of those around me. This position will allow me to truly listen and respond to the important voices within our school. Many of which, I have come to know over the years, in my year group and in other years and those voices that I may not know yet! I felt this position would allow me to make collective change on behalf of the Class of 2023, and that together we can leave a positive and memorable mark on our school, and forever home.
Who do you admire, and what is it that you admire about them the most?
I admire women in our society today, that despite centuries of inequality, we have made significant strides towards justice and equity. Today, I am surrounded by women who continue to inspire me on a regular basis, my mum, my sister, my fellow Santa Maria students, female politicians and more. Whether that be managing work and a full-time family, pursuing studies and multiple co-curricular endeavours, or holding positions of political power in Australian parliament; women across the world continue to inspire me in their ability to lead themselves independently and challenge societal norms and standards. Women collectively and continually strive to achieve equality and justice, despite societal limitations of the past and today. I hope to continue in our collective fight and maintenance of our rights and freedoms.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Malala Yousafzai said, “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful”. Malala is someone I would love to have a conversation with. She is someone who I have always admired. Her courage, determination, and passion to achieve equality and justice, is truly inspiring. She is someone who demonstrates that regardless of your background, anyone can make a change and make a difference for the better. With determination, perseverance, and a belief in yourself, no challenge is too big to conquer. Malala is someone who has and continues to inspire the masses to be people who speak their truth, make their voice known and be unapologetically, you.
Thank you, Nishi, we wish you all the best for the year ahead.
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- Featured, leadership
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
