For Tali Cooper, being named school captain is a dream realised, a role she aspired to from an early age. “Being named school captain was always something that I hoped for,” she shares. This ambition was fuelled by a piece of advice from her mother: “Take every opportunity you can get.” It’s advice that has guided her throughout her school years, helping her seize opportunities that led to this moment.
But for Tali, the role of school captain is about much more than just a title. “School captain means I can be a guide, a support, and empower those who need it, whether they realise it or not,” she explains. This position allows her to not only bring her ideas to life but also grow as an individual, shaping her leadership journey while positively impacting those around her.
As school captain, Tali is committed to leading with authenticity and inspiring her peers. “I hope the students can look up to me as a role model and be inspired by the authentic leader I am,” she says. Recognising the power of teamwork, she emphasises the importance of collaboration among the school’s leadership team, including her co-captain and the prefects. “Through the collaboration of all of us, I believe we can achieve anything we set our minds to.”
Her vision for leadership is centred around team-based initiatives and activities that foster participation, teamwork, and enjoyment across the school, particularly through sport and co-curricular programs. Tali wants to ensure that every student’s individual attributes and skills are valued and nurtured. “I am someone that shows kindness and respect while being easily approachable, and I hope to spread this further around my school while also making a difference to others.”
One of the key lessons she’s learnt is that leadership is more about action and example than titles. “Leadership is not necessarily a position or a title, but more so an action and an example,” she reflects. With this mindset, she hopes to inspire her peers to develop the qualities of leadership in their daily lives, whether or not they hold an official position. “It’s important to acknowledge that not all leaders wear badges.”
Reflecting on the qualities that helped her earn the position of school captain, Tali believes it’s a combination of traits she strives to embody every day. “I try to be the best version of myself every day, representing qualities like kindness, compassion, resilience, and determination,” she says. These values are evident in her behaviour and interactions with others, shaping her as a leader who speaks humbly yet confidently.
After her interview for the school captain position, the interviewers described her as mature, humble, confident, and someone who demonstrates kindness and a servant-hearted approach. These characteristics, she believes, are what set her apart and aligned with the school’s vision of leadership.
The Empowered to Lead program played a significant role in Tali’s journey to becoming school captain. “This program significantly helped me on my way to becoming school captain,” she shares. As she was participating in the program, she had her interview for the captaincy, and the insights she gained from the modules were instrumental in her success.
“Through cementing what my values were as an individual, talking about team dynamics, and what I had learnt so far in the program, this gave the interviewers insight into not only the program that I was participating in to develop my leadership skills but also the growth that I was experiencing due to it,” she explains. The program not only prepared her for the interview but also fuelled her personal growth as a leader.
Looking ahead, Tali hopes to pass on the knowledge and skills she has gained from the Empowered to Lead program to others, helping them on their journeys of growth and leadership.
We’re so proud to see you accomplish something you’ve had your eyes set on, Tali. Congratulations, and we can’t wait to see you put your learning into action. You’re leading the way for other girls with aspirations, and we’re excited to watch your journey unfold.
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