The Secondary Student Leadership Program at NSW Parliament is a long‑running civics initiative for Year 12 student leaders from across metropolitan and regional New South Wales. It’s designed to build practical understanding of the NSW system of parliament and government including the role of the NSW Governor, and the work of Members of Parliament. Established in 1975, the program enables students to travel to Parliament House for the day and engage directly with their local representatives. as well as visit NSW Government House as guests of the NSW Governor.
We interviewed Lila and Evan, School Captains at Grafton High School and Maclean High School respectively, about their experiences at the School Leadership Program.
Here’s what they had to say:
What did I learn about leadership today?
Lila: What didn’t I learn about leadership.
Coming into this excursion, I honestly hadn’t had much to do with politics. This experience showed me the importance of both politics and leadership and how they’re both integral parts of the future world and careers. I have my heart set of pharmacy. Working in a pharmacy for 4.5 years I had never considered how important leaders and politics are for Pharmacy’s, TGA laws, pharmacists and pharmacist assistants throughout Australia. Who knew the impact politics and leaders had on Therapeutic Good Administration laws?! Watching the different houses have debates inspired me to stand up for what I truly care for in the future and highlighted to me how important true advocates/leaders are for even things we never really consider, such as Pharmacy.
Evan: Leadership requires grit alongside determination to engage in robust conversations with people you don’t necessarily like in order to uphold the common good. It is also a situational asset, and requires the ability to understand when it is time to take the reins as well as when one needs to step back to allow others to grow.
What can you do as a leader at school or in your local community to affect necessary change?
Lila: When announced Grafton High School 2026 School Captain, I set myself a goal as a leader. This goal is to spread positivity and kindness. Everyone is always watching. A small, nasty comment could entirely ruin someone’s day and completely negatively affect their outlook of you as a person. As someone who has had their ups and downs throughout high school, you truly never know what someone is going through. There is simply not enough kindness and positivity throughout the world today. Uplifting others, spreading kindness, empathy and compassion was and will always to be my aim as a person and leader.
Evan: Firstly, it is important to include the youth of my community within the actions taken by those on the local council and showcase how these implications can affect youth within the community. This can be done by creating a multi-school youth council that directly communicates with councillors on a regular basis on the Clarence Valley Council, as well as allowing a contingent of students to attend council meetings and witness real-world debates. This introduction into the political landscape of community level government can be furthered by speaking directly about issues within my community to my local members of parliament. Finally to instigate real change is to discuss it and gain popular votes within the community such that it can be presented with a majority to local governing bodies such as my community’s council.
Describe one thing that you enjoyed about the experience today.
Lila: The whole experience was amazing. I’m extremely grateful for the entire experience, from meeting the Governor, to seeing question time, it was a truly exciting day! Something I recognised throughout the day was the high numbers of women we were watching fight for what they believe in and leading by example. As a young woman, who is hoping to lead down medical pathways, I will need leadership. Seeing how it’s done was an enlightening, encouraging experience. I am now more motivated than ever.
Evan: I loved witnessing Question Time in both the Upper and Lower Houses. Watching how animated politicians were as they debated topics with passion, determination, and grit allowed me to understand that being a public servant is a gruelling and sometimes thankless position. I was engaged in how skilfully politicians were able to navigate through challenging questions whilst maintaining the dignity of their political agenda. It was surprising to witness the theatrics of Question Time, and it allowed me to gain an understanding of the strategy and preparation required to enter a room and defend oneself from an intellectual onslaught of difficult statements.
