The St James College community hosted their annual International Women’s Day event recently. The gathering saw over 200 students, staff and guests come together to enjoy a meal and fellowship. 

A highlight of the day was the panel discussion facilitated by past college parent and ABC journalist Ellen Fanning. Joining the panel was St James College Captains Engy and Mia, and special guest Pprogram Coordinator for Ethni and co-founder of Maua Boutique, Nasteho Mukhtar. 

Reflection by Principal Andrée Rice.

“This celebration was a reminder of the importance of unity and action in the fight for gender equality,
and it left a lasting impression on all who attended.”

In celebration of International Women's Day, we hosted a special lunch that included both our Year 12 male and female students. This event was a powerful statement from the St James community, showing our commitment to supporting and empowering girls and women and our belief that “the story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single woman nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” These collective efforts include our boys and men, as well as our trans and non-binary allies. One hand can’t clap on its own!

The event featured inspiring conversation hosted by Ellen Fanning, renowned Australian journalist, current presenter of ABC Drive and proud mother of Jimmies’ graduate, James Dredge. It included our outstanding female school captains Engy and Mia, and Nasteho Mukhtar, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing; program coordinator for Ethni and co-founder of Maua Boutique a social enterprise in Logan supporting culturally diverse young women to thrive. (Please see Maua Boutique to place your own order for stunning flowers and home fragrances).

Mr Isikeli Kubunameca and the cultural team were instrumental in organising the event, ensuring that all female staff could attend by arranging coverage for their classes.

In my message, I highlighted the ongoing struggle for women's equality, noting that discrimination, sexism, and harassment still exist in many areas of society.

It happens in the highest places in Australia – think of Brittany Higgins in Parliament House. It happens at work, think of the female staff in Melbourne’s top restaurants who have suffered constant sexual harassment this year. It happens online through put downs and derogatory competitions rating girls and women. It happens everywhere and we need to be gutsy enough to stand up and say “enough, that’s not ok, I will not sit through this, and I don’t agree with you.”

This celebration was a reminder of the importance of unity and action in the fight for gender equality, and it left a lasting impression on all who attended. Thanks to our friends at Our Lady’s College Annerley, St Laurence’s College and St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace for attending our event.

Jimmies Junior Podcast Team Record Special International Women’s Day Episode

In other International Women’s Day events at the college, the Jimmies Jnr Podcast Team recorded a special episode featuring student voices from the school yard sharing different cultural perspectives.

Special guests were interviewed and thoughtful conversations shared. This project amplifies student voices and shared experiences at the school.

The podcast is proudly supported by the Wellbeing, H.E.A.L, Arts, and Cultural Teams.

#IWD2025 #AccelerateAction