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Fearless Attitude

Inspired by her hero Taylor Swift, Palmer House Captain Eliza (Year 12), advocates embracing vulnerability to make a meaningful impact.

Each week, our student leaders share their insights with their peers in Assembly.

To celebrate the announcement of the album, Speak Now (Taylor's Version), I am going to speak now about putting your "hands in". As you know, this is our 2023 Prefect initiative.

As a Swiftie, like most things in my life, Tay Tay has guided me when writing this speech. Her spirit is always with me. It's like she is here with me in the Big Gym as I speak.

Taylor writes her own story. Like her, I am trying to write my own story. It's messy and scary but exciting because I get to be the best version of myself. I try to ask myself, "What would Taylor do?" Most of the time, I think she would probably write a killer song but since I do not have a musical bone in my body, I move on to think she would be fearless – she would put her "hands in". After all, she has an album dedicated to being fearless.

To quote the queen herself, "People are always going to judge you anyway, so you might as well do what you want". You are all on your own journey, writing your own path. Just as Taylor will never walk Cornelia Street again, you can never relive the same day again. Make each new day count and you won't regret it. Year 11, apply for that leadership position; Year 7, try a new sport; Year 12, manifest that ATAR; Years 8, 9, and 10, expand your friendship group.

And don't just be part of the group. Sometimes putting your "hands in" means attempting to make a change and challenging yourself to stand up for what you believe in. Take Taylor – she is re-recording most of her albums to challenge an industry that took control and ownership of her voice. She's putting her "hands in", not just to be part of a group but to make a change for the better.

So, ×îÐÂÂ鶹ÊÓƵ, put your "hands in" to be fearless, to speak now and to make a change. And remember, even though the "haters gonna hate, hate, hate", just "shake it off, shake it off, ooh-ooh-ooh."