The 2015 International Women’s Day is about Making It Happen.

High school principal Margaret Hutchinson, exemplifies women in senior leadership roles.

Australia has the lowest percentage of female principals in secondary schools in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Helping reverse the trend, Mrs Hutchinson has led the school through a period of significant improvement. 

Her management style is informed by her empathy with students, staff and parents, creating a harmonious learning environment focussing on the school’s positive core values.

Last year’s dux, Erica Johnson, is another young woman with her sights set firmly on the future.

Erica was elected school captain and was an outstanding ambassador. 

She represented the school as an active member of the student representative council .

She also received a Diamond Award in the NSW Premier’s student volunteering challenge for her work within the local community, including donating blood to the Red Cross and volunteering at the annual Slice of Haven Food and Wine Festival. 

Erica is an excellent public speaker and was invited to speak at the Australia Day Celebrations and Anzac Day service. 

Only 1.5 per cent of NSW HSU females take a course including chemistry, physics and advanced mathematics. 

Samantha Kirkwood is not only a member of that group, but a leader.

In 2014 she made the top 1 per cent of students in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute competition.

In January 2015 Samantha was invited to attend the National youth science forum at the Australian National University, as one of 45 students in the state.

Samantha recently returned from Masterton in New Zealand where she gave her prize for winning speech from the regional Rotary public speaking competition.

Samantha has indicated that she would like to attend The University of NSW to study advanced science.

 “I can’t decide between biology and physics at this stage,” she said.

Year 12 student Rebecca Bennett is well on the way to becoming a leader in agricultural enterprise. Having attended the National Angus Youth Roundup in Wodonga in January, Rebecca was selected from the 300 participants to make a select group of eight who went further, developed her leadership skills and presented to a panel of judges.

In 2013 Rebecca came second in cattle presenting at The Royal Easter Show,  but went one better this time; winning the prize,  a $7000 Angus  heifer.

 “The best part was meeting so many other young people who also have an interest in the cattle industry.  Now I’ve got my herd started.”

Rebecca was also recently named Miss Showgirl 2015 at the Camden Haven Show, just another example of her ability to make things happen in her life.

Krystal Clarke is a rising star in the tennis world. 

The Year 7 student is currently ranked number 1 in NSW and number 3 in Australia in her age group. 

She was recently invited to participate in a national development camp run by Evonne Goolagong-Cawley.

She was one of 22 young indigenous tennis players to be invited (along with her brothers) to the camp where her tennis skills were further developed. 

Krystal’s goal is to become a professional tennis player and is working hard with her coach, parents and brothers to make this happen.

Another recent successful young woman is Beth Wheeler in Year 11.

In 2013 Beth was headhunted by the fashion industry and headed to New York to present to their modelling agencies. 

She was invited back and hit the catwalk in the 2014 New York Fashion Week.

Invited again in 2015, Beth refused, saying: “I have a very clear goal to attend university, and I do not want to have my senior studies interrupted.” 

These are just a few of the outstanding young females who are ‘making it happen’ at Camden Haven High School.