It was halftime in the fiercely contested Year 12 vs Teachers netball match - the perfect blend of chaos, cheering, and good-natured rivalry. Then, as the whistle blew and the court fell momentarily quiet, something special unfolded. Amid the laughter and lobbing, QAHS marked one of its most meaningful traditions: the official handover of student leadership.
With final IB exams just around the corner, today was about gratitude, legacy, and a little bit of nostalgia. Our outgoing House Leaders - Kavya Shah and Arisa Furutani (Aqua), Athena Hua and Tully Vine (Ignis), Zia Kao and Scarlett Kim (Terra), and Jae Song and Sahanya Abeyratne (Ventus) - have been the heartbeat of House spirit this year. From rallying chants to House events, they've led with energy, compassion, and that very particular brand of QAHS zest.
Stepping up are our capable Year 11 Vice House Leaders: Jo Middleton and John Wang (Aqua), Sahara Gower and Delilah Nutley (Ignis), Miro Maitre and Alice Yao (Terra), and Johanna Lee and Koh Segawa (Ventus). For these students, the next few months will be a chance to lead and to leave their own imprint on the school before 2026 House Leaders are elected in Term 1 next year.
In a lovely moment, the Year 11s took the places of the Year 12s - a ritual of stepping-up, handshakes, hugs, and, for Ventus, literally passing the crown, which spoke volumes about respect and connection.
We also acknowledged our Year 12 Global Learners representatives for 2025 - Rachel Burrows, Audrey Yu, Harima Ali, Dhivyaa Vittal, Tanvi Gupta, Olivia De Silva, and Sophie Hirabe - whose work has helped connect individuals, classrooms, and ideas.
And, of course, our School Council Student Representatives, Yanyan Zhang and Pravit Tandon, were recognised for their thoughtful advocacy and commitment to ensuring student voices are heard where it matters most. Their successors will soon take up the mantle, as the new School Council representatives will be voted in during Week 3, continuing the important work of student leadership and consultation.
As the applause rolled through the crowd and the players jogged back onto court, it felt less like an ending and more like a baton pass. To our Year 12 leaders - thank you for leading with integrity, humour, and heart. The QAHS you leave behind is all the better for it.
Marnie Chetter
Leadership Coordinator