On Tuesday the 15th October Anne Hollands the National Children’s Commissioner and staff from the Australian Human Rights Commission, visited St Mary’s College primary and secondary campuses to consult with members of our SRC and other students on their opinions about what young people need to be more supported by our government. These
consultations were designed to hear the views of children and young people about what identity means to them and the role those relationships, such as with their peers, play in the development of their identity. Both groups shared with the Commissioner openly and eloquently, highlighting aspects of their worlds that are important to them and the young people around them. Students were asked to share a message or suggestion that they would like to send to the Prime Minister, some of the suggestions included:
- Making sport and other afterschool activities more affordable and more accessible
- Giving young people more access to wellbeing support services both in and out of school
- Having more support for young people to get jobs and into training.
- Making educational costs more affordable
- Heping young people connect more with elders and their culture.
The staff running the consultations gave feedback that they were incredibly impressed with all of our students and their participation as well as our college as a whole. The students were thoughtful, engaged and had amazing feedback during this process!
