Driven by the want to make a positive difference, 2021/22 College Captain, Gemma Kannan, believes that an effective leader is an active representative for their community who nurtures an inclusive, respectful environment where acceptance and encouragement help people be the best they can be.
“Although there is always a heavy focus on academic achievement, I wish to spotlight the importance of everyone’s successes no matter whether they are academic, sporting, cultural, artistic or on a more personal scale, such as self-growth and development. Every achievement, no matter how large or small, is worth being proud of and celebrating,” she explains.
“Our community values the significance of equality and diversity and I hope to achieve a greater sense of this and strengthen the idea that as young women we truly can do anything if we have courage, faith and the perseverance to always try our best.”
What makes a great leader
In Gemma’s option, everyone can be a great leader. A great leader is a difference-maker with the courage to not only speak up about issues but implement actions to change things for the better.
“The most important thing about leadership is not organisation, responsibility, determination, passion, actions or kindness – those things are critical, but to me, the most important thing is courage. The courage to give leadership a go in the first place, the courage to be yourself, the courage to put yourself out there, the courage to represent your grade, the courage to delegate and the courage to take on big responsibilities,” Gemma says.
“I will do my best during my time as College Captain to seize every opportunity I can to help make a difference. Whether that be assisting other leaders to implement their initiatives, raising spirit and engagement in College life or doing my part with volunteer work. I will always do my best and put in 100% effort to every task I undertake.”
Gemma says that she has accepted every opportunity since Year 7 to be an active and engaged member of our College community, from CGSSA teams to Harmony Week. She has volunteered as a helper at debating nights, school spectaculars and acts as a tutor to Junior students two days a week in the ASPIRE program. She is also passionate about social justice and making a difference, embodying the Serviam spirit that is central to our College. She has participated in social justice initiatives like One Meal Kingsgrove, Gelato Day, the Walkathon and Girls’ Night In, and helped establish Esperance Week, a week focused on mental health.
“I enjoy being a part of such a proactive community and knowing that everything we do does make a difference, even if it is something simple such as sending bookmarks to our local nursing homes. Not all schools are so involved within the community, but St Ursula’s emphasises the essentiality of doing all we can to make someone’s day better and to help all people in any way we can, which directly correlates to our Catholic values and is what I am most proud of as a member of the St Ursula’s community,” she says.
A community that gives back and values others
Gemma describes the St Ursula’s community as generous, with a history of successful social justice initiatives that have made a significant difference in the lives of others, and which have received overwhelmingly generous support from the community.
“Life is so difficult for everyone and the hardships we face vary from person to person. Often we aren’t even aware that the people around us are struggling including those within our College community. Yet despite this, despite the challenges and despite the personal struggle, our community has such a strong sense of service and ‘never sees a need without doing something about it,” Gemma concludes with a quote from the inspirational Mary MacKillop.
As College Captain, Gemma believes that an important responsibility is promoting the Serviam spirit she lives every day, bringing about excitement for College initiatives and instigating positive change through social justice activities.
“Social justice is something that I am very passionate about, and I try in every situation to help make a difference and be the difference in someone else’s life. St Ursula’s is very service oriented and focuses on the fundamental aspect of helping those in need both within our community and internationally, such as our Sisters in Cambodia,” Gemma shares. “We are here to be God’s hands on earth.”
Being a Serviam leader
For Gemma, being a Serviam leader and making a difference doesn’t have to necessitate a grand gesture but can be about those small moments and actions.
“Serviam is not just about large actions for we cannot cure world issues overnight, but rather I believe small acts are equally important, including kind smiles in the hallways, donating a gold coin here and there when you can, colouring in bookmarks for our local nursing homes, opening the door for someone else or offering an extra hand where needed,” Gemma explains. “Serviam is simply about doing the best you can to help others while ensuring that you sustain a healthy balance between putting others first and taking care of yourself.”
Gemma states that her faith has played a fundamental role in her development into the person she is today and while Serviam and social justice may be the twin heartbeats of how Gemma enacts her faith at the College, they are not the only ways that she celebrates her relationship with God and those around her. She is an active Angelus reader, lunchtime Rosary attendee and Mass helper, but also believes that her faith shines through in how she treats others.
“I try my best to be the best person I can be and treat everyone with kindness. For we are all made in God’s image and I personally feel that it is the way we act, respond and empower ourselves and each other that demonstrates our faith.”
Gemma is focused on being a leader who leads by example and empowers others to stand up for what they believe in. “This is a critical skill to have after high school in the real world,” she says. “I really wish to emphasise the importance of empowering our student voices to respectfully stand up for what we believe in, even in difficult situations.”
Collaborating with and encouraging our community
Pledging to work collaboratively with all students of different grades by encouraging them to strive for their personal goals and celebrate their accomplishments, Gemma wants to be a College Captain who continues in the Serviam footsteps of those who came before her by promoting College spirit and encouraging participation in the different events and opportunities within and beyond the school community.
“I believe that community spirit and unity is built from action, from active engagement and participation in College life. I am hopeful that as a community we will positively impact those most in need in our society and I will strive to encourage the importance of collaboration and teamwork, as ‘many hands make light work’. I am a big believer in listening to everyone’s ideas and collaborating with others, which is a pivotal aspect in building unity,” she says.
Being a part of the St Ursula’s community ultimately is all about support and encouragement for Gemma.
“St Ursula’s is full of many passionate and enthusiastic teachers and staff who encourage students to think the unimaginable, strive for personal best, promote collaboration and support dreams until they can become realities,” she says. “In my Junior years at St Ursula’s I was constantly encouraged, and along with my peers, was taught of the importance of believing in myself and using the power of knowledge to make a difference in our community and subsequently, the world.”
Gemma explains that while she has always been actively involved in our community, the support she received in her early high school years allowed her to be confident and believe in herself.
“It allowed me to develop into a Senior who can stand up and promote action. This support, encouragement and constructive feedback provided by the staff has helped shape me into the young woman I am. A young woman who is capable of using my voice to empower others to act in the world and implement positive change,” she concludes.
