We are delighted to announce that Max Gregg, Chanul Kulatunga, Mailli Atkins and Isabelle Gardner (pictured L-R) have been selected as our 2023 College Captains. As they look forward to their new roles, they reflect on what motivated them to apply for the role and the challenges that they might face, as a College Captain.
Chanul Kulatunga
Why did you apply?
I applied because I wanted to contribute to the great culture of Cornish and continue the amazing work of previous captains, who I genuinely look up to and respect. I think the opportunies that College Captain present allow me to have a positive influence on my peers, while still being able to grow as a person.
What do you imagine the role to be?
I think the role will be challenging, but with the support of the other captains, I’m sure we can overcome any difficulties. It will not be always easy and straightforward, but no achievement is fulfilling unless there is some sort of challenge. There will be times where I won’t feel very confident, but there will also be countless opportunities where I will feel a real sense of accomplishment.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to create a more inclusive environment amongst students and teachers, and to create chances for different year levels to integrate and collaborate with each other. When multiple year levels work on something together, it creates really strong relationships and builds on the already tight-woven culture of Cornish, which was demonstrated this year through our very successful House Performing Arts event.
What do you think some of the challenges will be?
A possible challenge may be the balance of my schoolwork, responsibilities I have as a College Captain and life outside school, especially since I will be completing my final year of school. This will probably challenge me the most, but I am confident that I will be able to manage these things if I organise my time and don’t allow myself to fall behind.
What are the skills/attributes that you’ll bring to the role?
I am a very open and friendly person, so I think my peers, especially younger students, will find it easy to come to me and have conversations, whether it be about any concerns they have or just a friendly chat. I think this helps with this position because it allows me build relationships with people I don’t have regular interactions with.
How do you want to feel about the role at the end of 2023?
At the end of 2023, I’d like to feel that I did my absolute best, and put in my best effort to make my peers and teachers proud. I want to feel that I will have left the school in an even better state than it already is. I also want to have created very strong relationships with the other captains and build on my relationships with those who I may not usually interact with often, especially those in younger year levels.
Mailli Atkins
Why did you apply?
Leadership and responsibility have been something that I’ve always been invested in, whether in competitive sport games, working afterschool with young students at gymnastics training or having a leadership role at school. My previous school leadership roles have helped me to understand how I can employ the values of the school while working with students and teachers of all ages. I’ve been involved in many cocurricular activities like the Funk Soul band and musicals, which have given the opportunity to work in a team with amazingly talented people of all ages. These activities have helped me understand the importance of encouragement and to see how much I love supporting, being a role model for young students, helping students to have confidence in their own voice and to give try everything, with enthusiasm and hope.
What do you imagine the role to be?
For me, being a College Captain is to be in a position to provide encouragement and hope. I desire to be able to help those around me (students and teachers of all ages) to intentionally look for hope in the future. I believe that captaincy isn’t just about having a platform to speak out and leading with servant leadership, integrity and compassion, but it’s also about setting a culture of fun, hope and encouragement.
What do you hope to achieve?
I believe that good leadership is servant leadership – putting the needs of others before your own and encouraging all voices to be heard. Everyone has something to offer and, as a College Captain, I will work for that, so that hope and curiosity can spark and we can truly make a difference in our school community.
Throughout my school life, the one thing that has been highly important is the relationships and support I have from those around me, especially older students. Being able to look towards someone or a group of older students who are encouraging, motivating and understand you because they’ve experienced it all themselves is vital, and something that helps shape a student’s growth in school, no matter the age.
As a leader, to provide this support across all ages and year levels, I would like to employ cross-year level relationships by creating a ‘mentor system’ throughout secondary. One idea such as Year 12 spending a personal sustainability class time talking, walking, socialising and giving advice to younger year levels like Year 7s or 8s, provides this cross-year level connection and caters to the growth of the encouraging and hopeful culture of our school.
What do you think some of the challenges will be?
One challenge could be leading peers. When leading, it’s important to maintaining standards and integrity in helping to influence directions, rather than having power over them. My role isn’t about having more power over people my age, but it’s about exercising an influence that benefits the whole community and everything else within it, with integrity and compassion.
What are the skills/attributes that you’ll bring to the role?
I see myself as an, honest, hardworking student who strives for discovery in creativity and curiosity. I care for those who are left out, and really value the importance of nature and the environment at Cornish.
How do you want to feel about the role at the end of 2023?
By the end of 2023 I want to be recognised as a fun, enthusiastic leader who is easily approachable and successful in displaying what I employ in my leadership – intentionally looking for hope in the future and encouraging everyone around me to do the same. I want to be able to leave a lasting impression, so that students continue to encourage and support everyone to take adventures and take steps into the unknown, with courage and enthusiasm.
Isabelle Gardner
Why did you apply?
I applied for the position of College Captain as I have a genuine passion for the school and the community. I’ve been a part of the community since the Early Learning Centre and have loved growing up at this incredible school, surrounded by our College values.
What do you imagine the role to be?
I imagine the role will be a challenge for myself and my fellow College Captains, but I am looking forward to working together to represent the Cornish College community.
What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to continue to be a strong representative of the student body and be an approachable person for everyone. I want to work on connecting the bridge between primary and secondary students and work on the secondary connection to our environment.
What do you think some of the challenges will be?
I think the most difficult challenge for me will be balancing Year 12 work with my commitment to the position. I’m also unsure about the possible pressures that will come with the role, but I’m looking forward to learning to grow and manage them.
What are the skills/attributes that you’ll bring to the role?
I’m a very committed person, especially to things I am passionate about, such as our school community. I believe that I am a good observer, which leads me to think deeply and challenge the way our College and the broader community does things. I will always stand for what I believe in and I look forward to making a positive impact on our school.
How do you want to feel about the role at the end of 2023?
I want to feel proud of my contributions to Cornish College, as well as grateful for the community and for the leadership team with my fellow captains.
Max Gregg
Why did you apply?
I applied as I would like to express my ideas for the school and help benefit the community. I also want to learn more about leadership and what it means to have a role such as this, at Cornish. I also applied so that I might be able to make an enduring contribution to the school.
What do you imagine the role to be?
I anticipate the role of College Captain to be a challenge, one that will push me and my fellow captains to work at making positive change around the school. I anticipate that there will be many opportunities to engage with the student body and help maintain our College’s values and beliefs.
What do you hope to achieve?
I aim to build a stronger sense of community at Cornish between all ages, including staff and students. I also hope to make personal connections between staff and students so that, as an alumnus, Cornish continues to be a part of my life.
What do you think some of the challenges will be?
As a captain, there will no doubt be many challenges. Working, discussing and collaborating between the captains and leadership teams will come with its challenges, but with a brilliant group of students in leadership roles, I am certain we will be successful in overcoming any challenges and will succeed in achieving all our goals. I know this role will be a massive commitment and one that will take high priority in my life, so being organised will help me continue to strive to be the best student I can be, as well as a captain for the College.
What are the skills/attributes that you’ll bring to the role?
I feel confident in my ability to collaborate with varying ages of students and, with my previous experience teaching at my karate dojo, I believe working with students will be a strength of mine. I also feel confident in collaborating with teachers and other Cornish staff to communicate my and others’ ideas. I strive to follow the ideals of being a servant leader in my community to benefit everyone.
How do you want to feel about the role at the end of 2023?
I want to feel extremely proud by the end of 2023, knowing that I have given my everything to the role and the College, and helped make it an even better place. I hope that once my role is over I have left a pathway for other leaders and students to follow. If I can create this, I will feel that I have fulfilled my role as a captain.
