Robbie was voted into the role by his peers from a field of four applicants. Here is a copy of the speech he gave to the assembled Year 9-12 students prior to the vote:

Hi, my name is Robbie Jackson, I am in Year 13 next year.

I'm here to talk about why I would like to represent the students on the Board of Trustees for 2020.

I would love to stand up here and promise you a whole bunch of things that will change if you vote for me, but I just can't do that. I can't make a promise if I cannot or do not have the means to keep that promise. I also can't stand here and tell you that having me on the board will make a huge difference in your schooling experience, as being a board member doesn't really carry much weight in the short term. I can't really change anything in school immediately, but what I can do is be a voice for the students in these meetings. 

In the longer term, I think that we as a school would want the students’ opinions and views heard in these meetings. It is crucial to the role that the students appoint a person who is confident in laying down their ideas and opinions. We, as students don't want someone who is going to sit there and not say something, we don't want someone who won't speak their opinion, as ultimately the members of the board aren’t teenagers; if they aren’t like us, they don't think like us!! 

I want to add that I’m not standing up here trying to get on the board because I want the money, I'm running for the student representative role on the board because of the experience and the learning that comes with the position. I don't think we can put a price on the experience we only get some opportunities once, so we should take them as they come up.

I ask you to please think about your vote -  don't just vote for your mate; vote for the person who is going to best represent the students and can handle the responsibilities that come with the board.

Thank you for your time.