Āé¶¹“«Ć½

New Captains, New Era: Harry and Bella Lead Concordia's Transformative Journey

Tuesday 01 July

New school captains Harry Allsop and Bella Edwards are embracing their opportunity to shape the direction of Āé¶¹“«Ć½ for the next generation of students. With Concordia embarking on a period of transformation in 2025 with the start of the new master plan including the construction of a new Junior Learning Centre and Early Learning Centre, the incoming 2025 captains see the change as a big opportunity in their final year.

ā€œI put my name up for College Captain because, by the time I graduate, I would have spent 14 years at Concordia. It has been where I have grown up,ā€ Bella said. ā€œI was a little shocked when I was chosen and it was a little nerve-wracking, but I love our school community.

ā€œI want to build on the College community we have already and lay some foundations for the Master Plan,ā€ she said. ā€œI want to maintain an environment where everyone is included and tries new things.

ā€œBoth Harry and I have a few projects in mind but at this stage, they are secret as we want them to be a surprise.ā€

Harry also reflected on his time at Āé¶¹“«Ć½.

ā€œI want to give back because the College has done a lot for me, and I hope that I can make little differences in the lives of other students,ā€ he said.

ā€œI moved here in Year 8 and on my first day, I met the boarder that I was going to share a room with. I liked the structure of boarding, it’s what I needed when I first came here.

ā€œIt’s gone really fast, and I’ve met some of the best people here.ā€

Harry’s philosophy is a smile goes a long way and a simple ā€˜how’s it going’ means a lot to younger students.

ā€œWe need to lead by example and be a good role model for the younger students. That’s one of the biggest things in my eyes,ā€ he said. ā€œI want to try and increase the great culture of the school and for students to always strive to do their best.

ā€œI hope our cohort will take chances to get better and make their experience here as enjoyable as possible. Bella and I want to be an effective bridge between the students and the staff.ā€

He is also embracing the new unified, integrated campus.

ā€œBella and I plan to make the bond with the Junior Campus students tighter. We are planning a lot of opportunities for students to interact with each other.ā€

Harry said being College Captain was a massive honour, and he values the faith they have been entrusted with to lead.

ā€œWe had the opportunity to ring our parents from school to tell them. I rang my mum, and she started crying. Many of my relatives have had leadership positions at Concordia in the past and mum and dad were very proud that I now have this opportunity as well,ā€ he said.

ā€œConcordia has given me a lot more opportunities that I otherwise wouldn’t have had, like all of my sporting opportunities and Googa (a month-long school camp for Year 9s) which was brilliant.ā€

Bella also appreciates what Concordia has given her.

ā€œI can’t believe I’m in my last year. I met some of my closest friends in Prep and we all turn up for each other.ā€

Both students have excelled in sports while at the College and plan to take that into the next stage of their lives.

ā€œI really want to get a job in sport equity, giving everyone the same access to sport and health opportunities. The career of my dreams involves travelling across the country where everyone has a level playing field when it comes to sport,ā€ Bella said.

Harry has not locked in his next step, but is leaning towards physiotherapy as a career, although he plans to travel initially.

ā€œFirst thing is to grab the opportunity I have in front of me this year to make a difference. It is a privilege and an honour to be in a leadership position at Concordia.ā€