Pravit Tandon reflection
Year 12 School Council Student Representative
From 13-15 January 2025, I had the privilege of being selected for the Griffith University Future Leaders Retreat representing Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus. This program is designed for School Leaders all across the state of Queensland to network, and learn how to form a personal brand. Out of over 2000 applicants, only 140 were chosen, so it was an absolute honour to be part of such a selective, talented, and motivated group of like-minded individuals.
Throughout the retreat, I explored workshops in Commerce, Engineering, Business, and Mathematical Modelling, including real-world tools like the SIR differential equations, which have been used by scientists and mathematicians alike to model the spread of viruses across the World. Additionally, the Alumni Panel upon a critical discussion of Art Vs. AI led to some amazing insights upon out-of-the-box thinking, and the way Artifical Intelligence can be used to encourage the process of creation, rather than be able to replace it as a whole. These sessions were both engaging and insightful, providing practical ways to tackle real-life challenges, and have definitely provided me with learnings that I will take back to my Leadership Role at QAHS in my final year as School Council Representative.
My highlights of this amazing retreat were definitely the drumming workshop with Bongo drums, which was an energetic and unique way to bring everyone together. I was also captivated by the Building Your Personal Brand seminar by Scott Millar, which gave actionable advice on defining and communicating your strengths, especially with regards to taking initiative in an age of digital media and rapid growth. A personal favourite memory of mine was the karaoke night, which added a fun and relaxed atmosphere and really helped us all to connect as a group. What had initially seemed to be an experience far outside my comfort zone quickly became something I was invested in, due to the amazing collaboration between all of the leaders, encouraged by Griffith.
Overall, I'm incredibly grateful to Griffith University for this experience and excited to carry forward the lessons learned!
Marion Khoo reflection
Year 12 Student
Pravit and I were selected to attend the 2025 Griffith University Future Leaders Retreat from the 13th to 15th January 2025, representing the Queensland Academies Health Sciences Campus. This program is designed for student leaders in Queensland to network with like-minded peers and gain insight into university life.
During the retreat, we were divided into different groups and participated in various workshops based on our preferences. I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Medical Laboratory Science, Dentistry, Chemistry, and Exercise Science workshops. I visited Griffith University's state-of-the-art laboratories and gym facilities, where I engaged in activities such as blood-type sampling, creating my own finger mold, experimenting with nanoparticles, and assessing my physical performance using advanced sports technology. Additionally, I spoke with the Future Leaders Retreat ambassadors - current Griffith University students - who provided valuable insights into their studies and the requirements for each degree program.
We also attended multiple panels featuring guest speakers from youth-help organisations like Red Frogs Australia and Griffith University alumni who have competed in previous Olympics. For my selected workshop panel, “Making It Matter," I had the privilege of hearing from diverse entrepreneurs and changemakers who launched their businesses in various fields, including diverse modelling, accounting, nursing, and airport management. They shared their journeys and emphasised the importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes. The final panel featured Scott Millar, CEO of BOP Industries, who taught us how to build our personal brands to stand out and showcase our uniqueness.
Following the workshops and panels, the Griffith University organisers engaged us in fun activities at the Runaway Bay Performance Centre, such as playing the bongo drums and teaming up in an intense game of trivia night. My favourite parts of the retreat included meeting new friends and bonding over recreational sports, card games, and many conversations.
Overall, the experience was incredibly fruitful and memorable for Pravit and me. I now feel much more confident about my university plans. I highly recommend this retreat to all students looking to experience university life and make lifelong friends. I would also like to thank Mrs Chetter for promoting this opportunity and the Griffith University Future Leaders team for organising such an excellent program.