Students from schools across northern Sydney are stepping up to make a real difference in education.
Through the new Metropolitan North District Representative Council, students are getting the chance to share their ideas, speak up about important issues, and help shape what happens in schools.
The Council brings together students from areas like the Northern Beaches, Hornsby, Ryde, and Mount Druitt, all working together to make sure student voices are heard at every level — even by the Minister for Education!
“The Council will amplify voices from all networks in the directorate, identifying common issues and influencing change at state level,” said Cathy Brennan, Executive Director Metropolitan North.
“Their role is to connect the dots, to take what’s happening in schools, identify priorities, and bring these ideas forward to the Minister’s Student Council.”
For student leaders like Sam McQuillan from Cherrybrook Technology High School, being part of the Council is about making sure students are included in decisions that affect them.
“You need the student’s opinion and voice as part of that change, because otherwise it can lean towards a more adult view that doesn’t actually help students get the best results,” Sam said.
“We’re a strong group of student voices, and it’s really important that we stay involved through every step — not just sharing ideas, but also seeing what happens next,” he said.
The Council has already started working on big topics like AI in education and how schools can use the NSW Public Schools Student Survey to make positive changes, especially around issues like racism.
They also recently joined more than 240 principals at the Metropolitan North Principals Conference, where they spoke about how students should be known and supported as individuals in their learning.
By collaborating, sharing ideas, and speaking up, these student leaders are showing what it truly means to lead — proving that when students have a seat at the table, schools become even better places to learn and grow.
