The Education Department will benefit from the input of Hastings Secondary College Year 9 student Iesha Apthorpe after she was selected to take part in the annual Secretary for a Day initiative.
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Iesha was selected from more than 120 applications for the valuable two-day program in August.
Secretary for a Day brings students from across the state to the department's offices in Parramatta, as part of Education Week activities.
This year's participants will work with Education Department staff to action positive change for schools and student learning and have the opportunity to influence system development.
Iesha said she was very excited to be given the opportunity to be a secretary for the day.
"I was thrilled when I found out that I had been selected for the program as I knew that there was only 40 students from across NSW that could be chosen," Iesha said.
"I am really looking forward to participating in the activities and workshops. I am keen to have a voice into how public education unfolds in the coming years and I feel very humbled to be representing Hastings Secondary College at such an important event."
Iesha will also take part in creative and cultural advocacy and leadership workshops with industry and education experts.
"To apply I completed an application form, answering questions such as which areas of the department I would be interested in working. My response was I would be most interested in working with School Infrastructure NSW because I believe that every single child deserves quality education in a safe and easily accessible environment.
"Children with disabilities should be able to come to school without worrying about whether they will struggle or not be able to move around to different classrooms.
"I was also asked why I thought student voice is important and I believe student voice is extremely important.
"Student voice allows students to share who they are, and different aspects of school life they think should be improved and/or modified.
"Listening to and acting on student voices', interests, ideas, opinions and perspectives helps the student feel invested in their own learning."
Education Week is a statewide, annual event that aims to showcase and celebrate the achievements of NSW's public school system, its students and staff.
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