2023 Head Prefects Badged!
On 25 August 2022, Principal Mal Cater officially badged the Head Prefects for 2023. As a community, we join in congratulating Gemma Hollingsworth, Thomas O’Rourke, Zitong Ren, and Eliza Schmidt on their new appointment.
Mentone Grammar has chosen four Head Prefects knowing that, in our Centenary Year, there will be a lot of additional gatherings for our leaders to attend. We are most fortunate to have such depth of talent in the School, and we commend these fine young people for exhibiting the School Values to a very high level.
At the badging ceremony, the following citations were read outlining the leader profile of each student appointed:
Gemma Hollingsworth:
Since coming to the School in Year 7 you have fully embraced the broad Mentone Grammar program. You have represented the School in Cross Country, Touch Rugby and AFLW. In Cross Country and AFLW you have been selected for representative teams for the AGSV. Your involvement at the School goes beyond the sporting fields, however. Your engagement with our Performing Arts program as highlighted by your most recent performance as Sophie in Mamma Mia is extensive. You are a member of a diverse range of music groups including rock bands and our Opera cast. You have an outstanding singing voice! You have continued your membership of the Cadet Unit and are, this year, a Sergeant in our Unit. You not only commit in the School but outside of it engaging in your local community for AFLW, touch rugby and as a member of the Victorian Opera Youth Chorus. You have a very strong learner profile and are well respected by your peers and teachers. You exhibit the School Values to a very high level. It is my delight to appoint you as a Head Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
Thomas O’Rourke:
When high level leadership was required last year following Lachlan McLaren’s death you took it upon yourself, without any prompting, to rally your peer group, to support many people and to demonstrate quiet but highly effective leadership. Your actions resulted in you being the inaugural winner of the Lachlan McLaren Memorial Award for Caring. You are an outstanding sportsman representing the School in Athletics, AFL and Volleyball. Your leadership translates into our Cadet Unit where you are a Sergeant and into our classrooms where you have the respect of your peers and staff. Your learner profile is a delight to observe. Outside of School you coach Little Athletics and you have volunteered your time for a charity supporting women who have been forced to flee their homes because of abusive partners. You are a selfless leader who prioritises the needs of others. You exhibit the School Values to a very high level and it is my delight to appoint you as a Head Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
Zitong Ren:
It is in the Performing Arts and Public Speaking and Debating programs that you thrive and in which you are an outstanding role model and leader. You are a member of the Senior Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, the Vibe String Ensemble, the Generations of Jazz group, the Mentone Trio and the Piano Ensemble to name but a few. You have performed at a variety of concerts as both a soloist and as a member of these groups. You are the Captain of the Public Speaking and Debating team and you led our Senior Ethics Olympiad team. You represented the School in the Lions Youth of the Year competition. You willingly volunteer to assist with ushering at a variety of gatherings here at the School. Outside of the School you are also heavily involved in a variety of music programs. You have also been involved in volunteer work for the State Library of Victoria. You have a real passion for your School, your learner profile is incredibly strong and you exhibit the School Values to the highest level. I am delighted to appoint you as a Head Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
Eliza Schmidt:
Whilst your portfolio is filled with many sporting achievements, it is important on this special occasion to also mention your stage debut as Mama Bear in our Bayview production of Shrek! In sport you have enthusiastically represented the School in Athletics, Swimming and Cross Country. You have progressed through the ranks of our Cadet Unit to be a Sergeant and in our classrooms you are a well-respected student whose learner profile demonstrates your application and endeavour. Outside of School you volunteer at the Mentone and Ocean Grove Life Saving Clubs including coaching nippers. You are a great encourager who lives our School Values and understands that leadership is not something that can be turned on and off as required. You are passionate about this School and it is my pleasure to appoint you as a Head Prefect of Mentone Grammar.
We would also like to commend all Year 11 students who applied for this position. The standard of leader in the cohort is, as evidenced by the depth of talent once again, extremely strong.
Additionally, we thank Charlie Daddo and Evie Stansby, our 2022 Head Prefects, for their strong leadership. They will continue in their positions until the end of the VCE Journey alongside our new Head Prefects.