Meet the Gold Coast school captains 2024
Airlee Lester knows what it’s like to be “shut down” and ignored. Now, as Robina State High School’s co-captain, it’s her mission to give every student a voice.
Ms Lester was one of dozens of high school students dubbed the “future leaders of the Gold Coast” at an induction ceremony at Griffith University on Tuesday night.
She said she wasn’t “expecting much” when she applied for captaincy, she “just always wanted to be a leader”.
“One of my main points during my speech was about building a more unified school where we can all feel free to have a voice and feel included,” she said. “It’s important to me because there have been situations in the past where I haven’t had my say, or where I really wanted to do something and never had the opportunity to do it.
“I know what it feels like to be shut down.”
After starting at Robina SHS in year 7, Ms Lester joined its Japanese immersion program, the Netball Academy and the school’s First Nation’s group.
She’s united with co-captain Ethan Burton in her goal to make school a more inviting place for students.
“I know I’m not going to lead perfectly, but that’s OK,” Mr Burton said. “For me it’s about connecting (with students).
“We want to create an environment that is fun, where kids can go to school and feel connected in the classroom and in the playground.”
Deputy principal Bruce McFarlane said he was “incredibly proud” to see two students go from “bright-eyed year 7s” to becoming school leaders.
“They’ve both really hit the ground running,” Mr McFarlane said. “We’ve already had so many events where they’ve been at the forefront and that’s very demanding.”