WestMAC student Alexandra Hurst is Ipswich’s latest Queensland representative after achieving the honour of being peer-voted to represent the State at this month’s National Schools Constitutional Online Convention.
Alexandra, 16, was one of only five students to represent the Greater Brisbane region (including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast) at this month’s two-day 27th National Schools Constitutional Convention.
The high-achieving Year 11 student was one of only 23 students peer-voted at last year’s Queensland Schools Constitutional Online Convention after successfully presenting her speech on why and how the constitutional preamble should change.
“It was a privilege to represent Queensland, while it was exciting to have my voice heard as well as to listen to ideas from students around Australia,’’ Alexandra said.
“I became interested in constitutional law when I was writing my speech and researching the topic, after being initially inspired by our Social Science teacher (Leader of Learning Mrs Donna Googe).
“It was fantastic to collaborate with other students from around Australia on such a worthwhile topic. I’m passionate about ensuring everyone has a voice and it is heard, no matter what diverse group you are from.’’
Alexandra has developed an interest for constitutional law, especially the rights of the disadvantaged. Along with fellow students Raven Baker and Anna Ikin, Alexandra was part of the WestMAC team who defeated seven other schools to represent the Metropolitan West region at last year’s Queensland Convention. In the Queensland final they were named as one of the two top teams in the State.
Mrs Googe said it was vital that “today’s young people became active, aware and engaged citizens to help them gain an understanding of how to make a difference in the community’’.
“Alex’s speech at the Queensland convention was very thoughtful, it focused on acknowledging Australia’s complex history and society and recognising how our nation continues to develop our identity over time,’’ Mrs Googe said.
WestMAC Principal Geoff McLay also praised Alexandra’s “impressive work’’ as well as the commitment of teachers such as Mrs Googe, who has instilled a love of learning into students.
“Before the constitution project the students did not have any knowledge about the constitution, but under Mrs Googe, Alex and the class of students progressed very quickly to expertly grapple with complex issues of law, Australian identity and history, all the while having fun doing it,’’ McLay said.
Alexandra said it was “pretty cool’’ to take part in the convention with the Greater Brisbane online hub based at Wavell State High School in Brisbane.
The topic of focus was: Does Australia need a Bill of Rights?
“I feel more informed about how the Australian convention works and our whole political system,’’ Alexandra said. “Mrs Googe has been really supportive and helped me on this exciting journey.’’
“It’s been a pretty cool thing to represent Queensland. I enjoyed presenting strong ideas and discussion points.’’
As current Senior students prepare for upcoming Year 12 exams, WestMAC pioneers with its strong academic pursuits with a tradition of a high number of Senior students achieving a score of above 90 in the ATAR results.
WestMAC produced 13 students with scores of 95 and above in the 2020 ATAR results.
For more information about academic and vocational education pathways at WestMAC go to: https://www.wmac.com.au/our-college/senior-school.