17 Aug 2026
An idea presented by a Year 12 student at Seton Catholic. College has grown into a powerful example of student leadership, service, and community spirit.
Seton’s Year 12 student leaders raised $5,200 for pancreatic cancer research through a student-led Quiz Night supporting Dare to Hope.
Earlier this year, Head Girl Isabella brought the idea to the College Leadership Team, presenting a well-researched proposal and detailed plan for how the fundraiser could be brought to life. With the support and enthusiasm of a large group of Year 12 student leaders, Bella drove the initiative forward, turning an idea into an event that brought together students, staff, families and members of the wider community.
The students took responsibility for every aspect of the event, from securing sponsors, prizes and auction items to developing quiz questions, promoting the night and coordinating volunteers. They managed raffle sales, baked and sold food for a dedicated food stall, devised games and activities, provided entertainment and took on MC duties on the night. They also worked behind the scenes to manage
the many practical detailsinvolved in delivering a large community event, from organising equipment and decorations to keeping the evening running smoothly. Each student brought different skills and strengths to the project, giving the group valuable experience in delegation, teamwork, communication, problem-solving and event management.
The event also gave Year 12 Media ATAR students the opportunity to apply their skills in a real-world setting, producing promotional social media reels, photography on the night and a post-event reel. Their professional-quality work complemented the students’ broader efforts to promote and document the event.
For Bella, the experience demonstrated that effective leadership is about more than taking charge.
“This experience taught me that leadership is not about doing everything yourself, but about bringing people together and giving others the opportunity to contribute.”
Organising the fundraiser required the students to communicate, delegate, solve problems and adapt when things did not go according to plan.
These challenges became some of the most valuable learning experiences added Bella, saying:
“I learnt that a successful leader needs to be willing to listen, trust others and step up when needed. Most importantly, I learnt that leadership can have a real impact when it is centred around service and bringing people together for a cause that matters.”
The result was an energetic evening of quiz questions, laughter, competition, auctions, games and community connection, with the School Gymnasium transformed into a lively event space for the occasion. Students, staff, families and local community members came together to enjoy the evening, all while supporting a cause that has a very real impact on many families.
For Bella, seeing the community embrace the event was a highlight.
“The highlight of the night was seeing the entire community come together and genuinely enjoy an event that we had worked so hard to create.”
She was particularly proud to see students, staff, families and local community members all contributing to the same purpose.
“Seeing people laughing, participating in the quiz, bidding in the auction and supporting the cause made all of the planning worthwhile.”
The impact of the experience has also extended beyond the event itself. Following the success of the Quiz Night, Bella is now considering how she might continue supporting Dare to Hope through voluntary work in the future, demonstrating that the experience has developed into an ongoing commitment to service.
Dare to Hope CEO and Co-Founder Cherie Dear also contacted the College following the event to acknowledge Bella’s contribution saying:
“Throughout our interactions she demonstrated exceptional initiative, professionalism and commitment. She was proactive in her communication, courteous in every interaction, and followed through on every commitment she made.
“She represented Seton Catholic College with distinction and should be enormously proud of what she, together with her fellow student leaders, achieved. Young leaders like Isabella are a credit to their school and give us great confidence in the future.”
While the $5,200 raised will make a meaningful contribution to pancreatic cancer research, the experience also gave the students an opportunity to develop skills and confidence that will extend well beyond the event itself.
“Knowing that an idea we had started with as students had turned into a successful event that raised awareness and funds for people impacted by pancreatic cancer was incredibly rewarding,” Bella said.
She also recognised the collective effort behind the event, highlighting the contribution of the many Year 12 students who worked alongside her.
“I was particularly proud of the students involved, because everyone contributed in different ways and showed what can be achieved when a group works together towards something meaningful.”
The Quiz Night is a wonderful example of the impact that can occur when students are trusted with genuine responsibility and given the opportunity to turn an idea into action.
Most importantly, it showed that student leadership can create meaningful change when it is grounded in service, collaboration and the courage to turn an idea into action.
