
STUDENT LEADERSHIP 2020

The students listed below have been selected as Student Leaders in 2020. As Year 12 students they lead the Student Council, represent the school at official events, embody and promote the school’s values and communicate ideas between the student body and the Executive. These students have demonstrated strong leadership qualities for many years, are academic achievers, are heavily involved in community service and participate in a wide range of school activities.

Julia Aguinot: Head Girl

I believe that the ideal Student Councillor displays strong leadership, takes initiative and responsibility, and holds themselves to a high standard as a role model to the student body.
Since I joined the Student Council in Year 8, I have been privileged to have been given countless opportunities to serve and give back to the school and wider community, especially alongside the student council during various school events such as Mufti Day, Charity Day and RUOK Day, as well as other year group based responsibilities.
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I have come to see that good leaders are able to effectively draw out the strengths of the individuals in their team. I believe that the discipleship and tutorship of strong leaders in my life has enabled me to value strong leadership and taught me the communication, teamwork and leadership skills necessary.
Through my years volunteering at various school events such as school tours and musicals, I have been able to communicate effectively and build up rapport with teachers and members of administrative staff.
I feel motivated to work hard to be able to give back to the school that gave me such opportunities. I have also felt inspired to speak up to help create positive change within the school by bringing up issues around mental health and I have made a committed effort to check up on my peers regularly.
I also strive to lift up the morale of the student council through humour and moral support, particularly on events that involve high pressure activities.
I was selected to be a part of the Western Australian Debating League State Squad and I was able to represent the determination and perseverance of Perth Modern School students through my love of learning and drive for self-improvement.
I have also competed in various interschool badminton competitions and have made valuable connections with friends from outside my own year group. Perth Modern School has given me numerous opportunities and experiences that I will in turn use to improve the school however I can.
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Dylan Crowe: Head Boy

For as long as I can remember I have served as a leader within the Perth Modern school community.
Being a member of the Perth Modern student council since our first election in Year 7 has taught me invaluable lessons in how to lead a group towards a common goal, how to communicate effectively and perhaps most importantly how to foster a strong team spirit.
Outside of school hours I also participate in a local basketball team and volunteer at the local Salvation Army store; both of which have provided numerous experiences in initiative, leadership and responsibility.
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Throughout my five years on the student council I have tried my best to take every opportunity. In doing so I have learned a great deal about many of the roles and responsibilities of the student council from upholding important Perth Modern School values such as respect, and some of our more popular initiatives such as Mufti Day and Charity Day. Throughout my time I have learned what it means to take initiative and be a responsible leader in our community.
I believe that any good team starts with communication. It is for this reason that I have highly encouraged frequent, constructive and engaging meetings at all levels within the school. From our advocacy representatives, to the school executive and board, and even within the student council itself communication has and will continue to be a top priority. I also understand that great communication is a process of continual improvement, and as such I constantly endeavour to ensure that as a body the student council is efficient and effective.
I highly value a sense of community and teamwork within the student council and broader school community. I am immensely proud of what the student council has achieved over the time in which I have been a member, I am proud of the direction in which we are headed, and I am proud to be a member of Perth Modern School.
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Cait Dowley:

As a member of the Student Council since Year 9, I have immensely enjoyed the opportunities to represent Perth Modern School and its students.
Since my first days at Perth Modern as a Year 7 I have taken the initiative to seek out and make the most of leadership opportunities.
In both 2016 and 2017 I contributed to the school through service as a Peer Supporter and I loved welcoming and encouraging the younger students, demonstrating our school’s values and mentoring them.
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I have coordinated and executed momentous whole school events such as Mufti Day and Charity Day, as well as Reward Day and RUOK? Day and I very much enjoy being involved in building into our school community, as well as being able to represent my peers.
Over the years I have conducted many tours of the Campus for prospective parents and future students - providing valuable experience in communicating to the wider school community and promoting Perth Modern.
I was nominated for a national public speaking and leadership competition, the Lions Youth of the Year program. I have also been involved in a school debating team and I have acted as Master of Ceremonies at School assemblies, and as Quiz Master for the recent ‘Raise the Roof’ Quiz Night.
I strongly feel a sense of commitment – above and beyond my school responsibilities – to contribute to the wider community through acts of service. In my free time I enjoy working on community projects including Art Mural Community Project and Working Bees at the Community Garden.
Earlier this year I received the Jim Leslie Scholarship for Academic Excellence. It is a great honour to be the recipient of a Perth Modern Scholarship, and the funds have enabled me to participate in a range of extracurricular activities, including debating and a French course at Alliance Française.
In 2018, I and a few other Student Councilors proposed and founded the Wellbeing Committee, which was an important avenue for students to raise their concerns and issues.
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Ryan Joseph Anson:

I believe having a strong sense of leadership, initiative and responsibility is integral.
I have learnt and shouldered various responsibilities including on the European Music Tour and as a member of the Student Council over the past two years.
I have assisted in organising whole-school events, hosted year group assemblies, and through parent-student tours, executive meetings, and ex-modernian gatherings, have interacted with staff, students and the wider school community.
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In the past year, I have worked closely with the advocacy representatives with regards to improving student well-being, which has led to reforms in the student diary as well as the creation of the Well-Being Advocacy.
I also have substantial experience in team activities and have represented the school in a variety of professional contexts including Lion’s Youth of the Year, World Scholar’s Cup at Yale University, participated in Interschool Volleyball, Athletics, Tennis and Debating teams, and also a member of the Senior Wind Orchestra.
I have acquired more than 50 hours of community service in the past two years and have been awarded certificates in all my subjects in Semester 1, 2019.
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Tisha Shah:

I have been privileged to forge strong relationships with my peers, staff members and the wider school community as a result of being on the Student Council since Year 9.
I have developed my skills in the areas communication, compassion, leadership, collaboration and organisation through my involvement in the Student Council and in planning events including Mufti Day, Charity Day, R U OK Day and Valentine’s Day.
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I also help organise events outside of school including running dance classes for family, friends and members of the community called ‘Kulture for Kids’. I, along with a group of my friends, created a program of activities in our community to increase awareness of our culture.
I enjoy taking part in many extra-curricular activities including the Mock Trials, West Australian Debating League (WADL) and the EVATT competition.
I like to empower other individuals to do their best as per the school value of ‘Respect Yourself’ by supporting my peers at times or stress or when they feel overwhelmed. I take it upon myself to raise morale and encourage my peers and have developed strong relationships with students in my cohort as well as in other years.
I always aim to embody the true Perth Modern School spirit and values and conduct myself at all times to represent these ideals when representing the school and wearing the uniform. I have enjoyed representing Perth Modern at various events including conducting school tours, hosting quiz night, and interschool competitions such as EVATT. I strongly support the Adult Ethos of the Senior Years.
Attending Perth Modern for the past five years has been exhilarating, informative and educational and the opportunities I have received has helped me grow into the individual I am today. I have a lot of school spirit and am extremely proud of the school’s achievements and the people who make up our wonderful school community.
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Owen Winarto:

My vision for 2020 is to be part of a Student Council that communicates effectively, performs its duties efficiently, and has a passion to serve the wider school community.
I believe that in order to successfully lead others, one must lead by example and I consistently take the initiative to act when it is required. I will help lead the student body effectively by consistently having an open mind, an empathetic heart, and a hard-working attitude.
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I have represented Perth Modern at several official events. I was a Peer Supporter and welcomed future students and parents to the school at multiple official occasions, including the Pin Ceremony. I have also volunteered to be a representative for the Raise the Roof stall at the 50th Annual Music Concert. Since becoming a Student Councillor, I have represented Perth Modern at several official events, including the Pin Ceremony, Graduation and the Raise the Roof Garden Party.
Throughout my time at Perth Modern, I have been a member of various committees within the school. In 2018, I was one of the founding members of the wellbeing committee. In 2019, I volunteered to be part of the 2020-2024 Business Plan Review. At the meeting with the School Board, I presented a student’s perspective on the plan’s Key Focus Areas.
I aim to always use a respectful and considerate tone when communicating with members of the school community and people in general. In 2018 I participated in the Schools Conflict Resolution and Mediation program and I have also responsibly used social media to communicate effectively with my cohort. I have experience conversing with distinguished Alumni on several occasions, including the Raise the Roof Garden Party, the Anzac Day Service and Modernian Orations.
My time at Perth Modern has been and will always be a monumental part of my life, and to be able to give back to our school and the brilliant school community through my involvement in the Student Council is a great honour, duty and privilege.
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