South West students to represent region in inaugural West Australian Student Council

Four of the South West’s brightest students have been selected to represent public schools across Western Australia in an all-new government initiative.

The inaugural WA Student Council was announced last Tuesday, featuring 38 students from public schools across the State including four from the South West region.

Kiya Gray from Newton Moore Senior High School, Austin Bates from Collie Senior High School, Lilla Brampton from Denmark Senior High School and Tessa Rowell from Cape Naturaliste College will join students from the State’s other regions and metro areas in the State-first program.

The council aims to advise Education Minister Sue Ellery and the department on education policy and reform, while representing the interests of students across the State and serve as student leaders.

Ms Ellery described the initiative as an “exciting first” saying she is looking forward to “hearing their views”.

“It’s fantastic that these young people have expressed an interest in representing the voice of students and engaging with education policy, to help shape the future of young people in our State,” she said.

“The council will help us to develop a more responsive and agile education system that acknowledges the accomplishments and challenges that young Western Australians face in our schools.”

Participation in the council will see the chosen students attend various ministerial and online council meetings, working with staff in their respective regions and provide feedback on initiatives from the education department.

Council member and Year 11 student Austin Bates, said he was “excited” to join the council and hoped it will serve as a “strong leadership group” for students across the State.

“I am feeling really excited about this opportunity, I feel like this is my chance to kind of be the stepping stone for students to really express their wants and needs,” he said.

16-year-old Gray said she hopes to be a “voice for Indigenous students” within the council.

“I wanted to be part of the student council so that I could represent students who don’t have a say,” she said.