Year 12s hope to help pollies

YOUTH crime, planning a career path and under-age drinking are some of the big issues Rockhampton's Year 12 leaders want addressed.

And they hope they can help politicians make a difference.

More than 80 student leaders from the Rockhampton region's 12 secondary schools gathered at St Joseph's Cathedral last week for the Rockhampton Student Leadership induction ceremony.

Held by The Cathedral College (TCC) each year, the ceremony acknowledged and introduced the 2012 leaders for each school and allowed the students to network and discuss their ideas for the future.

Rockhampton Girls Grammar principal Melinda Scash said to her knowledge, the gathering was the only meeting of its kind in Queensland.

"It's absolutely unique," she said.

"I've never seen the same type of congeniality across schools anywhere else."

TCC principal Rob Alexander said Rockhampton was a real educational hub.

He said that it was important for the region's key stakeholders to get together at the start of every year.

"The best part is the afternoon tea where the students get to mingle and share ideas," Mr Alexander said.

The students would meet again in May.

WHAT THEY SAID:

Shineece Richmond, Head Girl and Prefect for Senior Council at Rockhampton Girls Grammar:

I think underage drinking is a problem here.
We're surrounded by rural areas and for a lot of kids after a day of work out on the farm they'll sit down and have a drink with their parents.
I guess it's become second nature to a lot of teenagers.
I think they're just robbing themselves of their own childhood.

Ryan Jepson, School Captain of Rockhampton State High School:

There's a lot of pressure to choose what you want to do when you come to the end of year 12.
Everyone expects you to have a job and a lot of kids don't know what to do.
There's a lot of support here at school though - I got my apprenticeship as a fitter and turner through school.

Sam Gorle, College Captain at The Cathedral College:

The amount of youth crime is ridiculous.
I think the only way to solve it is to participate in school, if they go to one.
Then they would be occupied instead of having nothing to do.
They're wasting their lives and it's just about the adrenalin.
If they spent time getting involved in activities at school it's a better feeling that lasts longer.