St James College Year 10 student Shanisha Berry has been selected as a Queensland Indigenous delegate to participate in the National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra in 2022.

The annual convention seeks to promote understanding and informed discussion amongst young Australians about the Australian Constitution and system of government.

Held online this year, the Southern Queensland Schools Constitutional Convention involved teams of students from numerous schools with one delegate from each presenting and discussing their proposals for a new preamble to the Australian Constitution. The topic explored was ‘Should the Australian Constitution have a new preamble that would recognise our history, our aspirations and the many peoples and groups that make up our nation?’

Shanisha delivered her speech and was elected by her peers to participate in a small group of delegates to represent Queensland at the national convention.  

Principal Ann Rebgetz praised Shanisha's election: "A wonderful achievement for Shanisha who is a young Indigenous woman, who proudly and passionately spoke of the need for change."

The National Schools Constitutional Convention is an annual event attended by approximately 120 students from government, independent and Catholic schools across Australia.