At the end of last year, I had the incredible opportunity to represent QAHS at the 2024 Gold Coast Secondary School Captains Summit. This event brought together student leaders from 11 Gold Coast schools, aimed at preparing us for our school leadership roles in 2025.
Over the three days, we quickly became a strong, supportive team, united by our shared passion for leadership. The teamwork was incredible, everyone brought unique character strengths and perspectives, creating an environment where we could learn from each other and grow together.
From kayaking to raft building, trivia night to volleyball time, experiences like this remind us that leadership isn't just about guiding others - it's about collaboration, learning, and constant growth.
The guest speakers, Cr Shelley Curtis and Dr. Dinesh Palipana, also shared their experiences and wisdom with us at the summit, inspiring us to think critically about leadership and resilience. “Never give up, and never let others define who you are and what you can achieve" was a great motto derived from the presentations. Beyond the talks, the summit also provided a space where upcoming school leaders, like myself, can develop school-based initiatives that we'll reflect on when we reunite in 2025. This year, I hope to work with my fellow Student Leaders to ensure our newest QAHS members, the Year 10 cohort, feel welcome, valued and informed throughout the year.
To our current Year 11 students, this is an incredible opportunity to step up and represent QAHS at the 2025 School Captain's Summit, held at the end of this year. If you're passionate about leadership, teamwork, and making a difference in the future, I highly encourage you to get involved!
We know that leadership isn't just about holding a title, it's about learning, growing, and inspiring others along the way. This summit is a fantastic chance to do just that.
Yanyan Zhang
Year 12 School Council Student Representative