Late last year, the VSV community came together on December 10 to mark the inaugural Ability Day morning tea. The event was a heartfelt celebration of inclusion, self-acceptance, and understanding, and provided a space for students to share their stories with honesty and courage.
Among the highlights were contributions from two remarkable students, both of who have shown that they learn best in an online setting and have diverse and unique learning needs. As members of the Student Representative Council (SRC), they spoke with maturity and insight, representing their peers and the wider school community. Their reflections offered powerful reminders of what it means to create welcoming and accessible spaces for everyone.
In the following Q&A, our student contributors, Neo from primary and Madeleine from Middle Years, share their experiences and perspectives.
1. What did you hope people would take away from your story at the Abilities Day morning tea?
Neo: “My message was to remind people that everyone grows in their own way, and that it’s a brave thing to ask for help. I wanted people to see that with practice and perseverance, you can get better at things you once found hard. Most of all, I hoped they would feel proud of who they are.”
Madeleine:“The message I would share about Ability Day is that you never know where someone started from. You might see people ahead or behind you in a race, but you can never know where they started compared to you. Someone far behind might look lazy, but they might have started 100m back from you. You might assume someone far ahead of you started ahead of you, but you can never be sure. Assuming just hurts everyone. I wanted people to take away that even if you have limitations, you can still succeed in your hopes and dreams. Don’t dismiss the power you have to reach your goals in life.”
2. How has being part of the SRC shaped the way you think about inclusion at school?
Neo: “Being on the SRC has shown me how important it is to make sure everyone feels welcome and heard. It’s helped me listen more carefully to others and notice when someone might need support. I’ve learned that inclusion is something we create through small actions every day, usually unseen by others.”
Madeleine: “Being part of SRC has been a great way to see members of the school come together to improve student life. It has shown me that everyone cares about making VSV a better place.”
3. What is something you wish more people understood about creating welcoming and accessible spaces for everyone?
Neo: “I wish people understood that being welcoming isn’t just about physical spaces, it is also about how we treat each other. Small things like clear instructions or checking in, can make a big difference in helping everyone feel comfortable. When we do these things, we make school a place where everyone feels safe and included.
Madeleine: “I want more people to understand that even if someone struggles in one area, that doesn’t mean they struggle in all areas. Taking accommodations as a blanket statement that applies to everything just limits the person who needs help.”
4. Can you share a moment in the past year when you felt supported or understood by others in the VSV community?
Neo: “One moment that stood out was when classmates and teachers took the time to really listen during group discussions. When people waited for me to finish speaking and showed they valued what I had to say, it made me feel understood and included. Those moments reminded me that support doesn’t always have to be big, sometimes it is simply people giving you space to be yourself.”
Madeleine: “A great moment was finding out I had been approved to accelerate 2 VCE subjects. I felt like the school was really supporting me to reach my dreams.”
5. What advice would you give to other students about being a good ally or looking out for their peers?
Neo: “A good ally listens first and doesn’t jump to conclusions. Be kind, be patient, and speak up if someone is being left out. Celebrate your fellow students’ wins and help them when things are tough. Looking out for others helps everyone feel valued, and this helps us all create an environment where everyone feels safe to shine.”
Madeleine: “My advice for looking out for your peers is to have regular contact with them! This seems simple, but in can have a big impact on someone’s mental health. Due to the nature of VSV, it can be easy to self-isolate, which is why talking with your friends can have major benefits.”
Both Neo and Madeleine are to be congratulated for the maturity and insight they displayed in representing their school.
