Michael Gordon
Michael is a student of the Croydon Community School who has shown great leadership, supporting younger students both socially and in their maths studies, as well as volunteering at his local football club. For much of this year Michael tutored and supported an 8 year old student with ASD, who was feeling isolated and lonely throughout the COVID-19 lockdown.
Michael planned and facilitated weekly sessions via ZOOM, and when finding out that the student was a fan of Yokai, he tailored the maths work on the characters to help engage the student.
Michael created a safe and trusting dynamic which was a very positive experience for all involved.
Kris Grunow
Kris is a student of the Croydon Community School and is a passionate advocate for recognition, respect and understanding of trans/fluid/gender dysphoria. Kris has been a role model and great support for younger students experiencing gender dysphoria.
Kris developed a pamphlet and provided a presentation to staff at the Croydon Community School, with excellent staff feedback regarding how helpful and informative the session was. More information sessions are planned for educators in the 2021.
Oliver Haley
Oliver has organically become a mentor and safety net for younger students across the Croydon Community School. Oliver is very good at bringing people together and has provided support across the school to isolated students.
During 2020 Oliver took an active role facilitating connections in the year 7/8 advisory, and during remote learning Oliver ran board game groups, which improved connections and was great fun. On return to school the board game sessions have continued due to popular demand.
Oliver is an advocate of fairness and equality; is passionate about aged care, youth, gender dysphoria and identity; and has volunteered at an aged care facility.
Acacia Ingram
Acacia is a strong role model at Croydon Community School and in the Maroondah area. Acacia participates in group work at Croydon Community School mentoring and supporting younger students. She does volunteer design work and has designed the graduating class “hoodie” and other design projects across the school.
Acacia contributed to the “We know your name but not your story” DVD project by Maroondah Youth Services during 2020, which trained 12 young people to become story capturers within their community
Acacia has participated in wellbeing groups at school and has done a significant amount of personal growth and is keen to help and support others in achieving a healthy life balance.
Lachlan Kennedy
Lachlan is an outstanding young person who gives 100 per cent to every opportunity he is given. Lachlan was one of the Heathmont College school captains for 2020 before he finished his VCE.
Lachlan is a current member of the Maroondah Youth Wellbeing Advocates program which provides two-way engagement between Council and young people. Lachlan has shown maturity in providing feedback on important Council documents and is always willing to share his opinion in a respectful manner. Lachlan also created a wellbeing project at school as part of the Maroondah Student Wellbeing Action Teams project.
Lachlan MC'd the 2020 Maroondah Youth Awards, has been involved in multiple video projects with Council, and is following his passion for working with people by studying a Bachelor of Youth Work in 2021.
Olivia Kiefte
Olivia is an exceptional young leader whose involvement in a wide variety of endeavors makes her an exceptional role model for other students. In school she was involved in the Year 10 Leadership team and the Student Wellbeing Action Team through Maroondah City Council. Olivia loves to play the piano, is involved in an acapella group and the NSC Jazz Band.
Outside of school Olivia is a Maroondah Youth Wellbeing Advocate, attending meetings and providing her opinion on issues and challenges facing young people in the Maroondah area.
Olivia has competed in public speaking competitions such as Legacy Public Speakers where she represented Victoria. Her team also placed second in the World Scholars Cup. In addition to this, she loves to play sports (particularly netball, field hockey, volleyball, athletics and surfing), and is also a netball umpire. Her positive, “can-do” attitude and active involvement makes her a highly valued member of the community.
Levi Mugamu
This year, ANZAC Day looked very different in Australia. As we were unable to celebrate it together as a community, many people across the country honoured the day by listening to the Dawn Service in their driveways.
As a member of the Aquinas College Year 10 leadership team, Levi thought it would be great to get the school community involved in this initiative by using the hashtag #AquinasANZACSpirit. He promoted the event and spoke to his peers and encouraged them to get involved. At his own house, Levi, his parents and sister were pleased to see the majority of their neighbours also standing in their driveways listening to the broadcast service, making the early morning worthwhile. Later Levi wrote about the #AquinasANZACSpirit initiative and collected and shared some beautiful images with the College community.
Levi is a great student, classmate and role model, and as a member of the Year 10 leadership team, Levi has established a raft of activities both during and post lockdown to (re)build a sense of belonging and community. Just some examples include: Aquinas House Challenge during the second lockdown of which he was a driving force; Secret Santa and he came up with the idea of a Year 10 Funniest Moments in lockdown video.
Levi has been the recipient of numerous excellence awards at school and this year was presented with the Merit award for his VET Music Industry.
Isabel Santos
Isabel is a very community oriented young woman with a strong moral compass. She has shown great leadership at the Croydon Community School. Isabel always advocates for what is right and stands up for and is a supportive voice for marginalised students. She advocates for people to be treated equally and with respect.
Isabel has been a volunteer youth advisor with Maroondah City Council youth programs and prior to the COVID lock down she was volunteering at The Open Door - Croydon Soup Kitchen. She has studied Community Service and had plans to volunteer at Hope City Mission in 2021. Isabel presented a powerpoint about stress to support others across the school during COVID.