Wednesday August 20 was the Motivational Lunch for our Year 12 students. This event is one that student’s always look forward to as it’s an opportunity for them to reflect on the effort they’ve put in over the year, the achievements they’ve made and to celebrate how far they’ve come – and to gorge on pizza! This year we invited Stephanie Stavropoulus “14 to be our keynote speaker.
Steph has built a fulfilling career as a Human Resources professional, and her communication skills shone on the day as she spoke to the Year 12s about her life journey, including her high school experiences and the lessons she learned.
Her speech touched on personal and emotional topics like her parents’ divorce and the struggles she faced. She also mentioned a desire to empower others by sharing her story and encouraged the students to “lean on those who make you feel that way” and to “never be afraid to ask for more in every aspect of your life”. The speech included themes of vulnerability, self-worth, and taking opportunities. The students were engaged, the speech was impactful, and at one stage there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as she thanked some of the teachers (specifically Mr K and Ms Woods) in the room for their mentorship and support during her school years.
A massive thank you to our alumni mentors, Lina Vo ’15, Jason Nguyen ’20, Gaylene Piscopo ’21, and Tran Nguyen ’20, for incredibly insightful sessions with a few of our Y12 students! Their generosity in sharing their time and wisdom has a meaningful impact on our students’ ability to make informed decisions about their futures.
Lina, a research officer in animal genetics, shared the versatility of a science/zoology degree and the surprising doors it can open. Jason, a biomed student on the path to medicine (currently taking a gap year), offered a realistic look at his journey. Gaylene, who works and studies in early childhood education, offered valuable perspective on her field. And Tran, currently studying Law at Monash, provided fantastic insights into what is proving to be a popular course among our students.
They covered a range of vital topics, from hands-on university experiences and diverse career pathways to managing course expectations. Our mentors also gave thoughtful advice on handling family pressure and friendships. Hearing about university life and the realities of their chosen fields from those who have lived it is invaluable.
The students who registered for these sessions are now equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take their next steps. We’re so grateful for the alumni support and for showing our students what’s possible.
St Albans Connect would like to grow this initiative so Year 11s, take note, this opportunity will be available to you next year!
Connect with Us
For any questions, suggestions, or if you need assistance, please feel free to reach out:
- Email: alumni@stalbanssc.vic.edu.au
- Phone: 9366 2555
- Office Hours: Tues & Wed 8:30am – 4:15pm
Ms Nicole Gurd – Alumni Program Leader