Thanks to our four students who are standing as candidates for the Student Representative on the School Board. Please take some time to read through their candidate statements below.

All candidates will address the student body at house assemblies in Week 9.

All full-time students in Years 9-13 are eligible to vote.  This year, we will run an electronic voting system.  You will be emailed a unique code to use between Thursday 14 September 4.00pm and Friday 15 September 4.00pm.

The next School Board student representative will be declared on Friday 15 September 5.00pm.  The successful candidate will become a full member of the School Board attending their first School Board meeting on Tuesday 19 September, representing the views of students in all strategic discussions.

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ZOE LAWS

My name is Zoe Laws, and I’m excited to be running as a candidate for the 2024 Student Representative on the School Board.

I proudly present myself as an opportunity for real change - no more empty promises, no more giving up.

I’m a keen debater, speaker, and have enjoyed participating in opportunities such as Model United Nations - these activities have advanced my skills in public speaking, persuasion, and compromise - abilities which are crucial for the role of Student Rep. I understand the importance of determination in this position, and will not allow the student voice to be pushed aside in School Board meetings any longer.

In this position, my main responsibilities to the student body will be communication and representation:

• I understand that the majority of you are in the dark regarding current decisions of the School Board. I pledge to eliminate this privacy, and promise to keep you all informed throughout the school year; unlike others, I won’t go radio silent after the first few months. You can trust that I will increase transparency and communication between the student body and the School Board.

• Secondly, I am passionate about bringing the student voice to School Board meetings. I assure you all that I don’t easily back down, and can guarantee your opinions and concerns will be taken seriously if I am elected for this position.

Currently, a policy I am passionate about pursuing if elected as Student Rep, is granting Year 12 students the ability to leave school grounds during lunchtime. This year, our Head Students have successfully implemented this policy for Year 13 students, however, I wish to extend similar privileges to Year 12 students too. If you are currently in Years 10 or 11, this issue will directly affect you in the next couple of years - consider voting for me if you’d like to see this matter tackled!

Remember, your opinion matters - if you’d like to see actual change around our school, Vote Zoe for Student Representative on the School Board 2024!

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HUGO SINCLAIR

The lack of transparency, false promises, and negligible action on behalf of the student population is an issue that I will directly address as the student representative to the school board. I am Hugo Sinclair. Attending MAC from Year 7 has allowed me to understand the specific issues that each year level faces giving me the ability to better represent all students Yr 7-13 than other candidates. Running for board rep is not something that would generally appeal to me; however, after seeing the possibility for positive change that a confident and approachable candidate could have for student life, I have put my name in the running.

Many of you don't even know who the Student Representative is for the current year. I want to increase transparency and give the students a strong representative to voice their opinions and vote for their greater benefit. If you elect me, I will ensure the student's perspective is understood.

The student representative to the school board cannot bring your wildest dreams into a reality. They are a person to voice the opinions and desires of the students to the school board. Clear communication and transparency is essential. In past years, the voice of the students has not been articulated clearly, and students have been pushed out of the communication loop.

As your student representative I will ensure that the voice of the students is heard and understood clearly. By voting for me you will elect someone who can put forth your opinions to the decision makers of the school, and ensure the students perspective is taken into account. I will make sure that students are kept in the loop and hear about any major decisions that are to be made about their future. I will do all of this in a confident and articulate manner, as I am not afraid to speak up. The candidate you vote for in this election will represent you all of next year, they can have a huge impact on how the students are heard or a very minimal one. 

Vote for clear communication, vote for a confident face to the student voice, vote for Hugo Sinclair.

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JINWOO HONG

Candidate statement: I'm Better

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TANE HAINES

Hi everyone, I’m Tane Haines, your current student representative on the board, and am back for re-election.

Having represented the student voice this year I have decided that I would love to run for the position again. This year I have been focusing on listening to the student voice, and I plan to do so again next year.

My goal next year is to get you guys to fight (obviously not physically) for what you want so that I can take it either to the school, or the board, and have more ease passing it. Aside from that, I am planning on further improving communication within the school, sending out the google form, and overall being the best school board representative I can be for you.

One thing I should mention is that I want to take a new approach on getting opinions next year. I plan to make meetings with those of you who request for them. You will remain anonymous. This system will allow me to get more details on what you want.

Right now, the students need somebody who is willing to act for them, and here I am :)

Make sure to vote for Tane Haines on the 14th of September!