#ChoosetoChallenge at NASC IWD Breakfast

Northern Adelaide Senior College chose to challenge the under representation of women in high-profile decision-making roles during International Women’s Day Breakfast celebrations last Friday.

Beginning with a breakfast catered by the leadership team, students tuned in to listen to Senator the Hon Penny Wong and Natasha Stott Despoja speak on the importance of women in leadership.

“This year is an opportunity for us to commemorate our achievements, but it’s also a yearly reminder of the challenges that remain in achieving gender equality,” says Ms Stott Despoja.

“This day can recognize the role we all play – men, women, non-binary, gender diverse people, working in collaboration to create a fairer more equal Australia.

“In pushing for change we need to recognize that we’re advocating for all, equality for all women, so we need to make sure that all women, from all backgrounds are represented.”

Adrienne Gorringe, Wellbeing counsellor at NASC, says that we shouldn’t lose sight of the role of women in society and we have a long way to go to address the imbalances of the past.

“I think it’s really good to celebrate women in leadership because when you look around in any industry you’ll see a lack of women who rise to the top,” says Adrienne.

“Politics is a classic example where women represent 50% of Australian society; however, men are overrepresented in politics.

“But if you look at any organisation, if you look at the CEOs and the people at the top, they’re often men even in a female-dominated industry like education.”

Caitlin H. who helped with the breakfast, was excited to see the turnout of staff and students who came to participate in the International Women’s Day breakfast.

“It is very important that we raise awareness because in the previous generations it wasn’t so good for women,” says Caitlin.

“I woke up 5am so I could get here at 8am and help out. I helped set up food and make sure things are clean because of COVID.

“We had muffins with bacon, egg, cheese and we had some toasties for vegans. We had yogurt, multiple kinds of fruit and juice boxes which was the most popular.”

“I think it’s great in encouraging young people to doing the right thing and help other women,” says Rose J, a Stage 1 student attending the breakfast.

“Even though we live in the 21^st Century we still have a long way to go.”

The IWD celebrations concluded at NASC with a choir performance by We Women Sing on the HUB Rooftop held for NASC staff and students.

“Honestly, I’m pretty excited for it. The choir will be interesting because it’s been a while since we had proper music events at the school,” says Caitlin.

The plight and strength of women is a key subject in our Women’s Studies class at Northern Adelaide Senior College.

Enrolments are still open for 2021. Please call (08) 7285 1600 to set up an appointment.