Strength in Sisterhood
In a heartfelt speech, Head Prefect Jemima (Year 12) shared her personal experiences of facing adversity and the power of unity and support among Wenona peers, teachers, and mothers, as they navigate the challenges and joys of the female experience.
Each week, our student leaders share their insights with their peers in Assembly.
I was walking through Manly last week when I passed a boy who I have known for a while, who has always been nice and who I have always considered a friend. I smiled and said “hi”, but he responded with an exceedingly offensive and devastating remark. Similarly, other friends have recently received hurtful criticism for prioritising their studies over a relationship.
These incidents are a reminder that such behaviour exists and can be directed at anyone, even without provocation. But it is not acceptable, and it is not normal. There are so many lovely, intelligent, and kind men. We females should simply not have to face this kind of treatment.
I’m angry and I’m disappointed, but I’m also hopeful because as this happened, I noticed something beautiful. I was so moved and grateful for the number of girls who stood up for me that evening, offering comfort and understanding.
I was so inspired by the common passion and rage from the women I shared this with – peers, teachers, and mothers, many of whom have had similar experiences. And I am so thankful and proud of my classmates who support each other with actions such as offering to drop each other to their cars after staying late at West Commons, so that no one has to walk across the footbridge in the dark alone.
Honestly, I look around me – in my year group and throughout this School and I see an army of individuals who understand the common joy and pain of the female experience and who would fight fiercely for one another. They remind me that our relationships are more important than I ever thought. Not just with other women, but with every person who enters our lives.
My family is currently overseas and to be quite honest, I was looking forward to having more time to myself to study. However, at 10 o’clock last night, as I cleaned up the mess from one of my dogs, while the other escaped out the front gate, I began to cry, realising just how much I take my family for granted, just how much I miss and need them.
As my year group looks ahead to our 10 final weeks of School, I think we are realising how much we value the time we have had together. How we will wish it could have lasted longer. In a matter of a term, we may very well never all be in the same room again. But I think that perhaps we aren’t just sad. We are grateful – incredibly so. Grateful for the relationships and bonds that we have been so lucky to forge.
Fellow Wenona students – the people in your year group and the School as a whole are what make life worth living. And we only have so much time with them. In fact, it feels like everything in the news of late reminds us just how easily and quickly we can lose one another.
So, please be there for one another, stand up for one another, protect one another, empower one another, celebrate one another, and know that once you leave this School, you will never have to put up with adversities alone because you have at least 1,000 individuals behind you. Foster relationships with everyone here if you can.
Considering this is close to my last address to you all in this capacity, I want to thank you; the staff and students in every year group for the relationships you’ve given me. Whether we have only exchanged a few words and a smile, or had the chance to deepen our friendship over the last six years, it’s been an incredible privilege to get to know you. Thank you for saying “hi”, for asking how I’m doing, for laughing with me, for your kindness, your support, your passion, and your love. I am so sincerely grateful for the communal care and compassion among us.
Now, Year 11 girls, I know it’s really easy for me to say this and I know it might not feel like it to you right now, but there is truly so much more to life than School leadership. It is not the measure of a person. There are countless girls in my year group who could have performed the Head Prefect role as well as me. Irrespective of whether you receive or do not receive a leadership position, I am sure you will all have a significant impact on the world during your years on Earth, in a huge range of capacities. But, of course, disappointment is unavoidable, so come and chat to a Year 12 student if you need to.
Thank you again for the past year. I truly love you all very much.