Learning to ‘leave it better’ together
St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School student, Thang-guw, was recently invited to deliver a short speech on the theme of “leaving it better” at the Ecumenical Schools Australia (ESA) Leaver Award Day in Melbourne, sharing her reflections with fellow student leaders and educators from ESA member schools.
The award honours the legacy of Reverend John Leaver, a key figure in the founding of Ecumenical Schools Australia, who was recognised with the Order of Australia in 2000 for his contributions to education and the wider community.
Each year, the Reverend John Leaver Award recognises a Year 11 student from every ESA member school who reflects the qualities that Reverend Leaver championed: compassion, resilience in the face of challenges, the ability to build meaningful connections across generations and an open-minded spirit that brings together people of different faiths and backgrounds.
Thang-guw, now in Year 12, was named the 2025 St Paul’s recipient of the award late last year, an honour that reflects both personal dedication and the values fostered within the St Paul’s community.
As part of the ESA Leaver Award Day, students also took part in leadership activities and discussions, sharing ideas and experiences with peers and educators from across the ESA network. These opportunities strengthen connections between schools and inspire students to lead with compassion and purpose, creating a ripple effect that positively influences their own school communities.
Ecumenical Schools Australia is a network of independent, co-educational schools united by a shared commitment to continually enhance the educational opportunities available to their students.