On Thursday 11th March, Soroptimist International The Hills invited two Oakhill College students, Seronique (Year 12) and James (Year 11) to speak at the Hills International Women’s Day breakfast at The Rydges Hotel.
Seronique (College Vice Captain) reflected on the opportunities open to all students at Oakhill, irrespective of gender and about the College’s climate of acceptance and respect: “As humans, we paint the pictures, we write the literature, we choreograph the dance and weave the tapestry. We add to the social media platforms that bombard our lives and shape our bias. We make the decisions.“ James (Youth Advocate for the Women’s Community Shelters) spoke of the Year 10 Walk the Talk program at the College and his first-hand experience of how programs such as these are helping to #breakthebias. He reflected: “The concept of breaking the bias is, in a way, all about respect. When we break the biases in our society, we create an inclusive society, one that celebrates all differences and has equality and fairness for all.”
Other Guest Speakers were Mrs Lucy Brogden AM, President, Dr Peter Gangemi - Mayor of The Hills Shire Council and Class of 2003 and Ms Jacqui McLachlan, President who said that we needn’t be quite so worried about the future, if the future is in the hands of young people such as Seronique and James.