Late in term one, I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 She Leads Conference with nine of our Year 11 and 12 students who have shown interest and dedication to further developing their leadership skills. The event was organised by the YWCA of Canberra and held at the Canberra Rex Hotel.

Our students were delighted to see that the keynote speaker is part of the St John Paul II College alumni, graduating from JPC in 2018.

Maja Rathouski went through a very tough time as a teenager and young adult but graduated from Year 12 and now, still only 22, Maja is motivating others to be true to themselves and rise above adversities. In her regular work, Maja manages transitional housing properties in Canberra and provides assistance to people in the homeless (or sleeping rough) community. Maja has a passion for positive change and dedication to the marginalised and her story had the JPC students’ full attention.

Our young JPC leaders also participated in workshops around social justice and self-care. The JPC students engaged fully in the day, brainstorming leadership ideas, teaching others how to ‘box breath’ and asking insightful questions of presenters.

Well done to all involved.

Kelly Candy
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Ferré House and Year 11 and 12 student wellbeing