The morning kicked off early with a cuppa and some enjoyable breakfast fare, before we heard from guest speakers
Fiona Webster, Executive Principal, VSV
Fiona welcomed parents, students, staff and community members to VSV, to celebrate the achievements of women. VSV is the State’s leading provider of virtual learning for F-12 students from public, independent and Catholic schools, for students who need flexible learning options. VSV teachers are experts in their fields as well as in digital learning.
Fiona suggested we reflect on the progress made, the challenges remaining and the role we all play in a more equitable world.
Makenzie White, VSV Dux 2024
Makenzie was a dedicated and inspiring student at VSV. She shared with guests the story of her great grandmother, grandmother and mother who fought and persevered for their right to learn.
In 2023 Makenzie was a student representative on the VSV inaugural School Council, contributing to key decisions that shaped the school’s future. Makenzie informed that there are 122 million girls across the world without access to education. Equal access to education for girls and women creates Gender equality, strengthening economies, climate action and healthier communities.
Dr Stephanie Westcott
Dr Westcott is a feminist researcher and lecturer in Humanities and Social Sciences, Monash University.
Using a feminist and social justice lens, her research examines how education practice and policy intersects with and is influenced by current socio-economic conditions, and she is particularly interested in post-truth and its relationship to knowledge and expertise in education.
Stephanie referenced this paper (Stephanie Wescott & Steven Roberts 2023) – “Conceptualising school-level responses to sexual harassment of women teachers as institutional gaslighting“.
Stephanie shared that on every International Women’s Day, she would love for the profession itself – for schools,leaders, ministers – to acknowledge the investment the profession – a profession made largely of women, has made to the world. This active transformational and radical contribution that all teachers have made.
Senator Jana Stewart
Senator Stewart is a proud Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman, with links to country, all along the Murray River in North-West Victoria.
Before entering politics Jana worked at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care agency in the Child protection system, trained as a family Therapist with the Bouverie Centre – the first in her family to attend university. She has also worked for the Victorian government, within the justice system, and with Traditional Owners across the state. Jana is committed to ensuring all workers are treated fairly and have a safe workplace and is a dedicated member of the Transport Workers Union.
Jana spoke about education opening up many opportunities. Here in Virtual School Victoria the reach is further than what was previously possible. Education is important to shaping young people’s minds. Introducing them to new ideas, new possibilities and new reality “which is pretty incredible”. Leaders inspire every day. To student leaders at VSV, Jana’s message was that your perspective matters; your knowledge matters. Your country needs leaders who understand the world the way you do.
