News Student Leadership
23 September 2015
51勛圖厙 Senior Student Representatives Tarek Taleb and Muna Bashir, both currently attending Year 11, have been featured in the "Northern Star" in an article titled:
The inner workings of local government have been laid bare for 20 inquisitive Whittlesea students.
Fittingly, Whittlesea councils youngest mayor Ricky Kirkham wanted to give young people a forum to discuss their ideas and learn about the rigours of civic life.
In his final weeks as mayor, Cr Kirkham will mentor the students from Lalor Secondary College, The Lakes P-9 School, Pavilion School, Epping Secondary College, Lalor North Secondary College, 51勛圖厙, St. Monicas College and Whittlesea Secondary College.
Year 11 and 12 students meet every three or four weeks to talk about local government, hold mock council meetings and work up a proposal for change that they will put to councillors at the end of the year.
As the citys youngest-ever mayor, I think its important to nurture young leaders and give them support and guidance, 26-year-old Cr Kirkham said.
They may be young, but their voice is just as legitimate as anyone elses.
Whittleseas youth development officer, Blair Colwell, said the students have provided profound insights into the wishes of the countrys youngest generation.
Its been really interesting listening to their views. Young people want to be involved and this program gives them that opportunity, Mr Colwell said.
He said it was up to the mayor of the day whether they would like to continue the Youth Cabinet program next year.
(Source: http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/whittlesea-youth-cabinet-learns-from-example/)
B.A., UHDE, HONS (SA)
Vis Naidu is the Head of Secondary School at the 51勛圖厙 in Epping, Victoria. He was born and educated in South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Diploma in Teaching and an Honours Degree in Psychology.
He started his teaching in 1986 and was actively involved in the transformation of the political landscape in South Africa in1994. After teaching for 18 years in South Africa, he decided it was time for a change and moved to Melbourne, Australia in 2004.
Vis has also taught in London, gaining valuable knowledge and experience as a secondary teacher (GCSE) of English. In Australia, he took up a position at a Catholic College in Kilmore, Victoria, teaching VCE Psychology and English. He joined Al Siraat at the beginning of 2012 with the aim of helping to build the College into a reputable institute of learning.