ROSEWOOD State High School captaincy was awarded to Zoe James-Collier last week, it’s an accolade she shares with an uncle who was school captain at the same school. It’s a Captaincy she shares with Taylor Sover – but this is Zoe’s story.
Some years back, her uncle Kevin James, was also the Rosewood State High School captain and one of his legacies was obtaining permission for Year 12 students to park their cars on school property.
“Zoe is very friendly to everyone and seems to know who everyone is,” her mother Jennifer said.
“When she was younger, she was quiet and reserved but when she got to high school things changed and she made lots of friends.”
Zoe said high school brought her into contact with many different people, and she came out of her shell.
Her favourite subjects during primary school were geography and physical education.
“Right now, sport and recreation are definitely my favourite subjects,” she said.
The teenager’s newfound confidence enables her to understand those too shy to speak up about issues important to them.
“It’s important for school leaders to be the voice for students who don’t have confidence,” she said.
Two school captains are selected at Rosewood State School every year.
They start their duties towards the end of the previous year, their Year 11, so that the sitting captains can focus on final year exams.
“It was announced I’d be school captain last year in November at an awards ceremony,” she said.
“All Year 11 students are able to put their hand up to be selected as school captain.”
A list of leadership positions is given to students who then decide if there’s anything they’d like to put their hand up for.
“I signed my little bit of paper, filled in a little bit about me and handed it in,” she said.
“We had to make a speech to whatever teachers were there and the Year 10s and 11s.
“Then those students voted and two school captions were selected.”
Zoe said she applied because she thought she ‘may as well give it a go’.
“I am a pretty likeable person and can get stuff done,” she said.
“I want being at school to be fun for everyone and make it a little more enjoyable for the kids who struggle.
“Last year things got a little bit rocky for some of the students and I thought if I was able to be school captain, I may be able to change that.”
And therein lies Zoe’s target for her legacy to Rosewood State High School.
