General News
19 March, 2026
Leading by example
TERANG College school captains Lucy Eldridge and Theophillis Gundani will bring different approaches to a united front as they aim to enhance their school through leadership.
The duo has hit the ground running as the school’s 2026 school captains, including leading last week’s induction assembly.
Lucy said she had wanted to be a school captain to empower the student cohort.
“I’ve always wanted students in the school to feel like they can speak their mind, have confidence they have someone to talk to and share their ideas with everyone,” she said.
Theophillis said he saw school captaincy as an opportunity to connect students across all year levels.
“I believe everyone should feel like they have a role to do with something, even the younger kids,” he said.
“Sometimes they feel like it’s just school and they have nothing else to do, but with school captaincy you can try to find a way for everyone to feel connected throughout the school.”
Lucy said giving students a voice on issues or fundraisers would lead to better outcomes.
“We can get younger and older students together to see both points of view, which makes us a more connected school,” she said.
“We want to show leadership but we also want to take a step back when someone else can take control.
“I think any positive change is good.
“Getting our school community involved with the wider community is also a healthy option.”
Theophillis agreed it was important for students to be able to raise their concerns and he welcomed the opportunity to support them in doing so.
“Our role as school captains is to air out what the students have thoughts on to the teachers without them having to feel like they can’t,” he said.
“For a lot of students, it can be hard to communicate what they need, but having us as school captains is easier for them – that way everyone can feel involved with what’s going on around the school.
“If the school is presentable in a way which makes people feel proud to come to the school, that’s the main objective.
“If we, as school captains, can give ideas which make students feel proud about being at Terang College, then that’s the best way to go about it.”
Terang College principal Kath Tanner said both students were unique in their approach to leadership.
“Lucy has a great school spirit and determination to do what’s right for the school, having grown from foundation through the school,” she said.
“Theo is a newer student to the school so he brings a different perspective, bringing something really unique with that.
“He also brings a sense of his own determination to be a role model who leads through behaviour and having a high expectation for success.
“They both are different but equally amazing.”
Mrs Tanner said providing students with opportunities to be leaders and join in discussions would not only support the students in their development, but make the school a better place.
“There are misconceptions around what agency is but it’s important,” she said.
“In terms of feeling connected to a place, that students can have choice in what their education looks like.
“It’s not about them writing the curriculum or taking on the work of the teachers – it is the way they conduct themselves, the words they use and the actions they show that they shape what is going to be a better school.
“I think it makes them more empowered to do great things when they can actually enact some of their thoughts and ideas for the school.
“I think that’s really important.”
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