Lourdes Hill College is dedicated to inspiring young women to create a better world through academic excellence, commitment to service and endless opportunities for students to succeed.
Year 11 student Sienna has pursued excellence during her time at LHC through her advocacy and representation of First Nations students.
Sienna is a proud Kuku Yalanji and Waanyi woman and an active member of LHC’s Mirragin Program, which supports First Nations students to connect with their cultural identity in authentic and meaningful ways.
Lourdes Hill College Principal, Mrs Kay Gleeson said LHC helps empower our First Nations students to explore and embrace their heritage through relationships with organisations such as QATSIF, Indigenous Veterans Affairs, the Indigenous Constitutional Convention and Santa Teresa, a remote Indigenous Community.
“Our Mirragin Program provides First Nations students with a sense of belonging and provides support to allow them to reach their full potential.”
In March this year, through the support of the LHC Mirragin Program, Sienna travelled to Canberra and sat on the Nation’s Youth Advisory Group with Dr Anne Aly, the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth.
She worked to give advice and a First Nations Perspective on Early Education and Education Capacity and Innovation Fund to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).
Sienna said she is proud to have the opportunity to influence change in the Australian education system and help influence positive outcomes for other First Nations students.
“It has been a privilege to speak directly to Ministers and members of Review Panels and express my school experience as a proud First Nations (Kuku Yalanji and Waanyi) student.”
Following her involvement in the Indigenous Youth Advisory Panel, Sienna was selected to be a part of a National Education Review Panel to provide insights about current school systems for First Nation Australians.
Sienna said working alongside a group of like-minded individuals has been empowering to help bring positive change for the future.
“We are all passionate about creating a better future for Australian students. There is a lot of support amongst the students as we are all working towards the same goal.”
“I want to be a voice for the marginalised. I have been interested in activism since I was young and have been inspired by my own family member's experiences, such as my grandmother who grew up on Palm Island Mission and was a victim of the Stolen Wages.”
Mrs Gleeson said whatever path Sienna chooses she should be proud of her representation of both the College and First Nations students around Australia.
For more information about the diverse range of opportunities available to all students at LHC please visit, lhc.qld.edu.au