Palladian Student Representatives | Term 1 Update
This year, Mac.Rob introduced a new portfolio to the student leadership team…Palladians! Our role is to bridge a connection between the alumni and the current students at Mac.Rob. In 2023, we hope to foster more connections amongst current students and Palladians to help guide students through their pursuits and endeavours where students are able to network with alumni to gain valuable skills and knowledge from them.
Throughout the term, we have spoken to a number of students and families about the Palladians association and their work, at our portfolio exhibition, assemblies and the Year 9 parents afternoon tea. We were also lucky to have some remarkable Palladians as our guest speakers this term in the Legal and Public Services career webinar and Kingsway to Highway lunchtime event.
This year, we also took part in the AGM (Annual General Meeting) with the Palladians association. After touring our school and new buildings, sharing some memories, we shared our ideas and opinions and discussed what was to come for 2023. With all these events and initiatives kicking off our year, our team looks forward to working with some incredible people toward our vision of strengthening the connection within the Mac.Rob community, past, present, and future!
Palladians Career Webinar | Student Reflections
Participants of the Term 1 Careers Webinar.
“The first careers webinar of the year—the Legal and Public Service Webinar—in collaboration with the Palladians Association, hosted by the Palladian Student Representatives, was a resounding success, with more than 50 students attending!
As a previous Palladians Student Representative myself, I was elated to see how we have been able to foster a strong connection between alumni and current students whilst simultaneously being able to learn from one another. In this careers webinar, students interested in a prospective legal or public service career were provided an opportunity to ask questions to our wonderful panellists, varying from “what is a day in their life?” to the differences between a corporate law firm and the Australian Court system.
The students learnt a lot about legal pathways they can follow in the future, after graduating from Mac.Rob, ranging from the type of university degree they can undertake to the distinct careers that fall under the all-encompassing branch of law and public service. It was particularly intriguing to listen to the panellists elucidate their life after graduation and to visualise each personal journey. From corporate law to barristers to judge’s associates to diplomats, there was a depth of diversity that each panellist could bring to the table.
The students are extremely grateful to have the ability to have a guiding figure in our lives as we begin to navigate life after school and I would like to thank the panellists, Palladians Association, the Palladian Student Representatives and our Community Partnership Project Manager, Ms Ziyad for giving us this amazing opportunity. I cannot wait to attend the rest of the careers webinars!”
Aditi P | Year 11 Palladian Student Representative
“On Thursday, March 23rd, our school community was invited to attend the Palladians’ annual Legal and Public Service Career Webinar, where we were privileged to hear from four esteemed Mac.Rob alumnae who have made their mark in the legal and public service fields.
“The event featured Eugenia Levine, a barrister who has attained degrees and accolades from Monash University and Columbia Law School. She shared her experience in transitioning between commercial and public sectors of law, as well as her international work. In addition, we heard from more recent graduates Michelle Huang and Phoebe Ding, both recent graduates from Mac.Rob who are pursuing different paths within the expansive field of law. Michelle, who graduated in 2016, has just started her career in employment and safety law at Dentons, while Phoebe, a 2014 graduate, was appointed as a judge's associate in the criminal division of the Country Court of Victoria last year. Katie Hamilton, who has worked for the Department of Foreign Affairs in various fields and postings, also shared her experiences, including her work in London, Honiara, and Port Moresby.
“Attendees then had an opportunity to participate in a Q&A panel, where they could ask questions about the speakers' university experiences and day-to-day work lives, and gain insight into the fields of law and public service. This event provided students, and their parents, with invaluable guidance in decision-making about their future careers. What struck me the most was the passion that each of these women exhibited for their respective fields, highlighting the variety of opportunities in legal and public service careers. Their stories of career mobility offered comfort to students who may be uncertain about life after Mac.Rob.
“We are grateful to the Palladians Association for organising this event and for the insight shared by these distinguished women. For those who missed this webinar, mark your calendars for our next session, The Business and Commerce Career Webinar, which will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:30 pm.”
Evie C | Year 12 Palladians’ Student Representative