The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action’ and that’s exactly what’s happening in classrooms across Victoria.

At 22 schools and counting, young women are speaking up and making their voices heard through the Be Bold Be Heard program.

North Geelong Secondary College Assistant Principal Brad Headlam founded Be Bold Be Heard after regional data showed that girls felt uncomfortable using their voices at school.

Centered around regular meetings and quarterly forums with inspirational speakers, Brad says 'Be Bold Be Heard opens doors for students through their voices. It can’t help but influence their lives and the lives of other students as well.'

After receiving the 2023 VASSP Principal Bank First Professional Learning Award, Brad had the opportunity to attend the uLead conference in Canada and visit a school on a similar transformation journey. 'The experience supported my leadership skills and the development of Be Bold Be Heard.'

Brad says that teachers ‘can’t help but be proud of these students and take note of their voices.' Recently, students lobbied to make their sports uniform more comfortable for young women. The school listened and last year had the highest ever level of female participation in athletics day. 'It’s an example of the small steps that lead to much broader change.’

The program is a shared effort between staff, students and the wider community with incredible speakers who volunteer their time, ranging from doctors to football club presidents.

'Be Bold Be Heard opens doors for students through their voices. It can’t help but influence their lives and the lives of other students as well,' Brad said.

And it’s working.

'With the confidence I’ve gained through Be Bold Be Heard, I feel like I can do basically anything,' said student Thoma. 'Even if I want to go for a career that feels 'too difficult' for me, I now have the support to get through that.’