• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

School captain tip needed!! (1 Viewer)

nourished.

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 16, 2021
Messages
188
Gender
Male
HSC
2017
Hello

I am in the process of running for school captain, does anyone have any strong tips to make me stand out from the rest of the candidates?
Start sticking campaign flyers in places that teachers would never expect.
 

ColdMint123

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2019
Messages
89
Gender
Male
HSC
2021
Yeah 100%, I would definitely do that if my friends weren't running though
I would shy away from doing this. Though it may work at some schools, it could come back to bite you. It is just very unsportsmanlike and disrespectful (traits a school captains should definitely not posses). With that said, just make sure you are yourself and make sure your leadership capabilities shine through. Make sure you want to be a captain for the right reasons, because if you are doing it for the CV, you most likely will not get it anyway.

However, I feel like getting to be a captain is more of a cumulative thing. As teachers and student begin to know each other over your time in high school, they will know who is suitable and capable to be a captain of the school and who is not.
 

may22

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2021
Messages
498
Gender
Female
HSC
2022
Be a bit vulnerable when you present your speech and open up a little. Make a slight joke or 2 (nothing over the top, inappropriate or offensive obviously). Do not make false promises. It's a good idea to give examples of past leadership experience you have/what makes you a good leader, but don't read it out like a resume
 

Suz D

Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
33
Gender
Female
HSC
2021
Hello

I am in the process of running for school captain, does anyone have any strong tips to make me stand out from the rest of the candidates?
What helped me was to write down dot points of what I wanted to say. Keep it simple and personal. Make it about the school and not you (it sounds kinda tacky and almost prideful if you only talk about yourself- maybe briefly mention things that you do around the school community).

Also the staff are just as important if not more so. You want to make sure that you reach them as well. Maybe thank them for how much they have done during the lockdown for us (also give details). Also, stay away from quotes unless they directly influence or matter in the speech. Often people will just chuck in one to sound fancy. You don't need great quotes to show someone that you are a great person!

I cannot stress how important it is that your speech be personal and almost entertaining. If you start to talk about boring things then no one wants to listen. Put in a joke or two and keep the language informal (e.g. no big fancy words- it may make you sound more eloquent but kids could care less). For a joke keep it lighthearted and maybe even a pop culture reference that everyone would know?

I know that I have written a lot and it may seem daunting, but you can do it. Just remember to keep it simple and lighthearted. Make a list of what you would do as school captain (make sure that it sounds exciting), something positive about the students and staff (maybe in relation to Covid), and then some related humour and inspiring words. Once you write what you want to include it all should just come together.

I would recommend if you need some inspiration, watch a lot of high school speeches, especially the American Valedictorian ones. They usually get personal and every word sounds interesting.
(watch how he presents himself and how he talks. Besides his intro, he gets personal and speaks how a normal person would. Obviously you don't have this much time, but you still have enough time to leave a personal, entertaining impact.)

The way you speak and present is SOOO important. If you look shy or nervous people will know. Be confident, positive and passionate! Because you are! The only thing I can recommend to help with this and stage fright, is just PRACTICE. You will feel more confident and less nervous if you know that you have practiced it a lot. Think of it like an exam. If you don't study much, deep down you know that you are going to do bad. Whereas, if you study a lot, then you will feel good and know that whatever mark you get, you still did your best! If you truly believe and are proud of everything you are saying, then you will show it!

And now I am just seeing that this is a lot! Sorry! I hope it helps though. Don't let it get to you, just think of it as a quick speech- I promise that if you write something that comes from the heart, you will feel good about yourself, no matter what position you get.
 

sunshine_c22

Member
Joined
Nov 23, 2021
Messages
40
Gender
Female
HSC
N/A
What helped me was to write down dot points of what I wanted to say. Keep it simple and personal. Make it about the school and not you (it sounds kinda tacky and almost prideful if you only talk about yourself- maybe briefly mention things that you do around the school community).

Also the staff are just as important if not more so. You want to make sure that you reach them as well. Maybe thank them for how much they have done during the lockdown for us (also give details). Also, stay away from quotes unless they directly influence or matter in the speech. Often people will just chuck in one to sound fancy. You don't need great quotes to show someone that you are a great person!

I cannot stress how important it is that your speech be personal and almost entertaining. If you start to talk about boring things then no one wants to listen. Put in a joke or two and keep the language informal (e.g. no big fancy words- it may make you sound more eloquent but kids could care less). For a joke keep it lighthearted and maybe even a pop culture reference that everyone would know?

I know that I have written a lot and it may seem daunting, but you can do it. Just remember to keep it simple and lighthearted. Make a list of what you would do as school captain (make sure that it sounds exciting), something positive about the students and staff (maybe in relation to Covid), and then some related humour and inspiring words. Once you write what you want to include it all should just come together.

I would recommend if you need some inspiration, watch a lot of high school speeches, especially the American Valedictorian ones. They usually get personal and every word sounds interesting.
(watch how he presents himself and how he talks. Besides his intro, he gets personal and speaks how a normal person would. Obviously you don't have this much time, but you still have enough time to leave a personal, entertaining impact.)

The way you speak and present is SOOO important. If you look shy or nervous people will know. Be confident, positive and passionate! Because you are! The only thing I can recommend to help with this and stage fright, is just PRACTICE. You will feel more confident and less nervous if you know that you have practiced it a lot. Think of it like an exam. If you don't study much, deep down you know that you are going to do bad. Whereas, if you study a lot, then you will feel good and know that whatever mark you get, you still did your best! If you truly believe and are proud of everything you are saying, then you will show it!

And now I am just seeing that this is a lot! Sorry! I hope it helps though. Don't let it get to you, just think of it as a quick speech- I promise that if you write something that comes from the heart, you will feel good about yourself, no matter what position you get.
Thank you so much for this! I really appreciate it and have taken all your advice on board!
 

katiekms

/bænd/
Joined
Jun 25, 2023
Messages
1,232
Location
behind a counter in a small town
Gender
Female
HSC
2024
lol at my schools captains are decided by a group of teachers/deputies/principal. year 12 gets to vote but really thats just to see what people want, and then the teacher vote is what really decides it.
 

pablo34

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2024
Messages
53
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
lol at my schools captains are decided by a group of teachers/deputies/principal. year 12 gets to vote but really thats just to see what people want, and then the teacher vote is what really decides it.
you should still tryout, you never know...you could make it
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top