- Published:
- Monday, 23 November 2015
Minister for Education James Merlino today announced Victorian student Rachael Davies as VCE Leader of the Year at the 2015 VCE Leadership Awards ceremony.
The VCE Leadership Awards recognise outstanding students who have made significant contributions to their schools and communities.
The ceremony, held today at Queen’s Hall, Parliament House, also celebrated the achievements of seven other outstanding VCE students who promote leadership, demonstrate initiative, inspire others, work collaboratively and are committed to making a difference to their school and community.
Rachael Davies, a multiculturalism advocate from St Monica’s College, demonstrated her outstanding leadership as a member of Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network, an advisory panel providing guidance on issues of concern to young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Rachael also helps young refugees integrate into new communities by providing local information, and has raised awareness about the plight of refugees and asylum seekers in her school and community.
The VCE Leadership Awards are coordinated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, which accepts applications from government, Catholic and independent schools. Finalists are selected as VCE Leaders on a monthly basis from May to October.
Finalists receive a three month subscription to the Herald Sun, and a 12-month digital subscription. All VCE Leaders will receive a computer prize donated by Lenovo Australia. The Foundation for Young Australians will also offer an internship to the VCE Leader of the Year.
The 2015 VCE Leadership Award recipients are:
- Manon Dennison, St Catherine’s School
- Jemma Walsh, St Mary of the Angels Secondary College
- Makayla Bulte, Sandringham College
- Rachael Davies, St Monica's College (VCE Leader of the Year)
- Netania Lim, Mount Waverley Secondary College
- Sparsh Ahuja, Balwyn High School
- Keerat Judge, Doncaster Secondary College
- Jasmine Steen, Lavers Hill P-12 College.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, James Merlino
“I congratulate Rachael Davies on her important work promoting the value of social justice and the benefits of diversity in our society.”
“These eight VCE Leaders have worked hard to bring about positive changes in their schools and communities. They’ve taken every opportunity to get involved and support others.”
“These young leaders show that Victorian students are part of a global community, and our world class education system is supporting them to grow, inspire and give back.”