Broome student Lucy Adams keen to share ideas as part of WA’s inaugural student council

A Broome high school student selected as a member of WA’s first student council says she has plenty of ideas on how the Government could improve the education system.

Lucy Adams, a Year 10 student at Broome Senior High School, is among 38 members to make up the inaugural Western Australian Student Council for 2022-23, a program designed to offer a first-hand perspective on education policy and reform.

Announced by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery this month, the students will attend ministerial meetings, liaise with schools and peers in their regions, attend student leadership activities and provide feedback to the Department of Education on various initiatives.

Ms Adams said she is excited to be part of this landmark event offering students a chance to have a say.

“I have lots of ideas about things we could do in the education system, especially in the Kimberley,” she said.

“I’m going to listen to what students in Broome have to say, and find out what kind of issues they care about, so I can bring that to the council.”

This is not Ms Adams’ first time representing the needs of her peers having participated in the Shire of Broome’s Youth Advisory Council — a group of 10 youth aged 12 to 24 involved in delivering events and projects for young people in Broome.

Through her involvement in this group, Ms Adams said she already knows what she will advocate for in the WA Student Council.

“From past events I’ve done with the local Youth Advisory Council, I know a lot of people in Broome really care about mental health, so I’ll be pushing for that quite a bit,” she said.

The 14-year-old is one of four Kimberley students selected for the council, including Skye Councillor and Caden Moore from Derby District High School, and Tahlia Storer from Fitzroy Valley District High School.

Member for Kimberley Divina D’Anna MLA said she is “so happy” the four Kimberley students have been given the opportunity to represent their schools and peers in the forum.

“I know Skye, Caden, Lucy and Tahlia will be fantastic representatives for the students of the Kimberley and provide important insight to the minister about decisions impacting their school communities,” she said.

“It’s fantastic to see such a strong representation on the Student Council from regional WA.”

The council’s schedule begins this month and will continue into 2023.