DOCUMENT

LEADING Using the tree was important for the pair as it was something they associated with QMC. “We think it’s the first time our school theme has been something tangible,”Ashley says. “No matter where you go throughout the school you can see the tree on the front lawn, and it serves as a reminder to have gratitude,” Lucy adds. Lucy and Ashley chose the theme while on a Parents’ Association sponsored trip to the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia Student Leadership Conference in January. “We thought that kindness would be a good theme at first, but we thought we could go further. You can embody kindness through gratitude,” Lucy says. “There are many different ways that girls can interpret the theme and show gratitude,”Ashley adds. The pair also have plans to build on the community started by former head prefects. “We want to start greeting girls at the gate more often. We really enjoy it, and it’s such an easy way to show we are grateful for our community,” Lucy says. The duo are also thankful to their friends and families for the opportunities they have been given as leaders so far. “I’m grateful for the endless support of my family in giving me the opportunity to be at this school for such a long time,”Ashley says. “They have always backed me even when I didn’t always back myself. I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without their support.” “My family taught me the importance of showing love and how I can show it to others. The simple power of saying ‘thank you’ is really strong in my family,” Lucy adds. “I’m also so grateful for being able to work alongside Ashley and our incredible prefect team. I haven’t seen our year-group band together so strongly before as we have in Year 13. Something Mrs Anderson, Ms Brown and Ms Young have told us is you don’t need a badge to be a leader, and I think our year group really shows that.” 32 Queen Margaret Calling :: ISSUE 63 :: May 2019