19 March 2026
The past few weeks at SPSC have been filled with moments of leadership, teamwork and school spirit that have highlighted what it truly means to be part of a community.
On Friday 6 March, SPSC hosted the 15th National Student Leadership Summit, where Archie and I welcomed 128 students from 30 different schools across Australia. Directing the event was an incredibly eye-opening experience; although I attended last year as a participant, I hadn’t fully appreciated the effort involved in coordinating such a day.
As captains, we had the privilege of organising and facilitating the summit alongside Louka Parry and Himal Pillay from The Learning Future. With their guidance, Archie and I structured the day around three key sessions – communication, culture and change. Through these, we aimed to highlight the importance of empathy and preparation when leading under pressure – qualities we also had to embrace ourselves throughout the event.
Also on the calendar this past weekend was Head of the River, marking the start of our summer Intercol season. From crews across Years 7 to 12, the boys displayed the tremendous dedication and effort they’ve shown all season in their races. While the 1st VIII didn’t secure a win, their resilience and growth have been inspiring, and I wish them every success at Nationals. It was also fantastic to see the Blue Army out in full force, proudly supporting our rowers and leading the charge with the largest school crowd present.
Both events were reminders of the spirit that defines our community – collaboration, perseverance and pride. As we move through the rest of the season and the school year, I’m excited to see how these shared experiences continue to strengthen our leadership and unity.
Henry Burton
School Vice Captain
