When Stephanie first walked through the gates of Melbourne Girls Grammar as a Year 7 student in 2020, she never imagined her high school journey would begin in the midst of a global pandemic. Despite this, she “was incredibly excited to start high school at MGGS,” she reflects. Fortunately, she stepped inside our red brick walls with a handful of primary school friends and her big sister, Zoe. She fondly recalls mischief in online classes and forming lasting friendships during Years 7 and 8.
“There are some cheeky memories of playfully tormenting teachers on Zoom.”
Fast forward to 2025, and Stephanie has spent the past year leading as School Captain, a role she never anticipated for herself. “It was my mum and my chemistry teacher, Dr Lim, who ultimately encouraged me to take the chance simply to see what would unfold. They saw qualities in me that I didn’t fully recognise in myself and pushed me to step up, be brave, and trust that I was capable of more than I thought.”
That leap of faith has brought profound lessons.
Stephanie shares, “At first, I tried to please everyone but quickly realised how impossible that is. Instead, I had to learn the importance of compromise, clear communication and knowing when to stand firm. Being decisive, even when uncomfortable, became essential.”
Stephanie admits she’s learned that effective leadership isn’t about doing everything perfectly, but listening, adapting and remaining steady when things get challenging. A crucial lesson she’ll carry with her beyond this role is how to have confidence in her own judgement.
When asked about her legacy, Stephanie draws inspiration from Maya Angelou: People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’
“My goal was never to be the loudest voice or the most polished leader, but to remain grounded and help create an atmosphere where every Grammarian felt supported, included and cared for.”
Her advice to the incoming School Captains Xanthe, Katherine and Jemima, echoes this sentiment. She highlighted the importance of authenticity, saying it can sometimes feel like you must fit a certain mould. Being yourself, she says, is what will leave a real and lasting impact.
Balancing Year 12 with the demands of leadership was no small feat, but Stephanie credits her success to organisation and community.
“I managed by setting small, achievable goals and giving myself permission to step back when needed.”
Most importantly, she says, “I had a strong support system, the 2025 Student Executive Council was an incredible group of girls who worked collaboratively and supported one another.” Stephanie says it’s a huge positive, having such a big leadership group, because there is always a helping hand when you need it most.
When asked about her role model, Stephanie doesn’t hesitate.
“My mum is the biggest blessing of my life.”
“Her warmth, grace and resilience have been instrumental, and I’m eternally grateful for her. She gives so much of herself to others without ever asking anything in return, and that’s the same sentiment I’ve tried to embody as School Captain.”
Among her proudest initiatives was strengthening the connection between the older girls and Junior Years students at Morris Hall. “I committed to visiting Morris Hall to meet the younger girls, especially Year 4. Those visits became some of my favourite memories because they reminded me of how my own journey began.”
As she prepares to leave MGGS, Stephanie shares that she will really miss her teachers. “Many have left a unique mark on my journey, helping me to grow both academically and personally. Particularly in Year 12, you come to appreciate that your teachers are just as invested in the process and end-result as you are.”
Next year, Stephanie hopes to begin an undergraduate degree in Commerce/Law at Monash University. She is interested in a number of different areas and wherever she ends up, she is certain she’d like to connect with people, understand their needs and offer guidance that makes a difference in people’s lives.
As Stephanie hands the reins over to 2026 School Captain Xanthe, we thank her and the outgoing SEC for their leadership and service this year.