The News has sat down with Shepparton’s high school leadership cohort to hear from the young future leaders in our region. This week, we spoke to Notre Dame’s school captains and vice-captains.
School captains
The 2023 Notre Dame school captains are Lachlan Howard and Ella Kightly.
Lachlan is 17 and has a wide range of hobbies and interests.
“I play footy for the Shepp Bears,” Lachlan said.
“I love fishing and the outdoors.”
He has a part-time job at Coles and supports Collingwood in the AFL.
When it came time for Lachlan to put his name forward to be in the running for school captain, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“I did it because of the opportunity, I couldn’t find a reason not to,” he said.
“I love talking to people, I love meeting new people and I wanted to better myself, especially my public speaking.”
Ella plays netball for Shepparton Swans.
She has a passion for science and hopes to pursue that after she graduates.
“I love science and I want to continue to study it after year 12,” she said.
“I’m hoping to do medical imaging at either Deakin University or Charles Sturt.”
Ella had goals of being a positive influence when she put her name forward to be school captain.
“I am trying to be that good role model that the younger students can look up to,” she said.
“The leaders in the past few years have had it rough, so we want to bring back that level and standard of connection and fun.”
Vice-captains
The 2023 vice-captains are Shelby Hutchins and Ben Woods.
Shelby is 17 and has dedicated her time this year to her studies.
“I used to play basketball but I’ve stopped to focus on Year 12,” she said.
“I work at Busy Bean though, but it’s really good work.”
Next year, she hopes to do something in the medical field.
Shelby hopes to be a role model throughout her captaincy.
“I wanted to be a role model to the younger students,” she said.
“I remember being in Year 7 and seeing the captains as people to look up to, so I want to be that for the younger year levels.”
Ben has a passion for sport, playing cricket and footy for Mooroopna.
“I really like PE but also business,” he said.
Next year he hopes to get out into the world.
“I really want to travel next year and enjoy life post-graduation,” he said.
Ben applied for a leadership role for personal development.
“I wanted to take another step in my leadership and better myself,” he said.
“I also wanted students and teachers to be more united, and to have our [the students’] voices heard.”
The Notre Dame 2023 leaders all share the goal of continuing the school’s charity work through volunteer hours and community events.