In April 2000, a young student named Serin Schmidt attended the 2000 Student Conference, held in conjunction with NTCOGSO. The conference brought together students from across the Territory to take part in public education discussions, and to plan for Territory-wide student representative councils.
At its heart, the conference was about student voice and helping young people understand that their perspectives mattered.
Twenty-five years later, that same student is Serin Clarris, Chair of the Berry Springs Primary School Council, and an active leader in the NT public education community.
Serin joined the School Council at the 2024 AGM. Like many parents, she stepped forward simply wanting to contribute and support her children’s school. She was elected Chair at her very first AGM and continues in that role today.
In October 2024, Serin was also elected Vice Chair of the Top End Schools Regional Council, extending her contribution beyond her own school community to support parent voice across the region.
Serin’s story shows what can happen when student voice is valued early.
A student once encouraged to speak up, listen, collaborate and plan for the future is now doing exactly that as a parent leader, supporting other families and helping shape school communities from the inside.
This is public education at its best.
Parent voice built over time through belonging, opportunity and connection.
We are proud to walk alongside Serin and so many other parents like her who bring care, commitment and quiet leadership to School Councils and Regional Councils across the Territory.
Stories like this are why NTCOGSO exists and why parent voice matters, generation after generation.