Inspiring excellence: The ongoing journey of school leader Charli Wilkinson

By Chase Christensen 

St Columban’s College is getting a taste of Bribie Island quality leadership, as Banksia Beach resident Charli Wilkinson is halfway through her term as senior school captain. 

Charli has always been a natural leader. From school leader at Banksia Beach Primary School, middle phase leader in Year 9 and now fulfilling the leadership role that matters the most. Charli’s values as a leader are inclusivity and positivity. 

“I really believe that as a leader you can help create a positive, inclusive environment where everyone feels valued,” Charli said. “Really, I just want everyone to feel happy.” 

Charli acknowledged and praised her peers who also put themselves forward for the school leadership role. She said that everyone who was in the running for her position would have done an “amazing job”. 

It’s clear Charli’s drive as a leader is for everyone to have equal opportunities in their school life, which she is clearly providing through new initiatives like the ‘senior bucket hats’ proposal. Alongside her fellow school captain, Zachary Paroz, the pair proposed a deal with the Year 12 cohort that was a great success. The agreement was, ‘if the cohort showed good participation and involvement with all aspects around the school, then principal Michael Connolly would agree to give out never-seen-before senior bucket hats that could be worn with any uniform’. 

The cohort responded by showing pride in the badge and commitment to setting a top-notch example to the rest of the school. This initiative aligned with the leadership team's focus for 2025, which is to be proud to be a St Columban’s student. It’s a feeling Charli is doing a fantastic job of fostering, especially among the seniors. It was also an opportunity to encourage students to wear hats more often to protect their skin from the sun at a young age. 

For Charli’s future endeavours, she hopes to one day run her own paediatric allied health and wellness centre. In regard to having some sort of political future, her feelings are a little mixed on that subject. 

“I’ve never been passionate about politics, but who really knows,” she said. 

Charli Wilkinson’s leadership reflects compassion, vision and initiative, qualities that continue to uplift her peers and school community, leaving a legacy as she inspires excellence at St Columban’s College.