The students and teachers at St Francis College, Crestmead welcomed championship netball player Ms Sheryl Scanlan as keynote speaker on International Women’s Day.Â
Ms Scanlan represented the New Zealand international Silver Fern Netball Team for nearly a decade playing 72 test caps.
The Crestmead local of Samoan and New Zealand heritage spoke about the successes and challenges she faced as an elite athlete.
Of her journey, Ms Scanlan said: “People say that you have to be prepared to make sacrifices in order for you to reach your goals and in some way, yep, that may be true, but I like to look at it as nothing is a sacrifice if you’re willing to do the work for things that you love and are most passionate about.”
St Francis College, Assistant Principal: Curriculum 7 -12 Ms Andrea Hickey said: “Ms Scanlan reminded us that the things we achieve are because of hard work, and while we may not always get the outcome we want the first time, if we focus and dedicate ourselves to our passion, we are more likely to succeed.”
Further, Ms Scanlan spoke about uplifting and encouraging ‘your sisters’.
“Be proud of your school. Be proud of your sisters in this room.”
“If you see your sister in need of help, have her back and support her. Embrace yourselves as individuals. Embrace yourselves as young women.
“Each student may come from different backgrounds, cultures, but there’s two things that I feel you all have here in common – one, you are all children of God, and two, you are here to learn and get a good education for your great futures.
“You are the future leaders of tomorrow,” Ms Scanlan said.
The college also welcomed Sport and Recreation Planning Project Officer at Logan City Council, Ms Emily Dealy who works with the college to promote women’s sport and health programs.
Picture: Year 11 students Theresa Iiga and Phoebe Gordon Year 11, Ms Sheryl Scanlan, Year 12 students Jorja Tamainu and Immaculate Vuciri and Assistant Principal: Curriculum 7 -12 Ms Andrea Hickey
