What is your one percent? One percent doesn’t sound like much. But a one percent shift in a flight plan can see you land in Washington instead of New York. So it is that a one percent shift in our actions, outlook and aspirations can have a significant impact on our lives and the world around us. 
 
Today our senior female student leaders came together as virtual participants in the 2025 Adelaide International Women’s Day breakfast which was held at the Adelaide Convention Centre and hosted by Senator the Hon Penny Wong.  
 
Our student leaders were invited to reflect on how seemingly small decisions – the ‘one percent’ – can bring about immense freedoms and lasting change for women and girls, and the kind of one percent shifts they could make in their own lives to empower themselves and others.
 
The presentation given at the breakfast also prompted our student leaders to consider the importance of taking every opportunity to speak up about matters that are important to them and engage influencers and decision-makers who may be able help address these matters.

Our students heard that, as minority voices, their ability to step into their own courage and power and be heard could be a critical factor in addressing prevailing inequalities in the future.
 
Guest speaker Rachel Perkins, founder of Blackfella Films and daughter of renowned Aboriginal Australian activist Charlie Perkins, gave an insightful presentation about the central role of her mother within the Perkins family. 
 
Rachel recollected that, as the family ‘rock’, her mother not only nurtured three children but also supported Rachel’s father throughout his university degree and subsequent activist roles in public life. Her message was that ‘women in the background’ often play an extraordinary role in the lives of others and have an enormously positive and life-changing inter-generational impact. These women may not receive external recognition or accolades, but leave behind an equal (or greater) legacy to those that do.
 
Below are comments made by our female Year 12 student leaders on what they gained from this year’s International Women’s Day breakfast:
 
The quote “Gender equality is everyone’s responsibility” inspired me as it emphasised how change can happen, but that it needs to be supported by everyone. The statistic of 22 percent of women being CEOs personally hit me, as even though this is a smaller statistic, it is also 22 percent more women than it was previously, and this number can only grow.
- Jakayla 
 
[What inspired me about today’s session] was the importance of always being there for the people you love most and always standing by them no matter what. Small changes can lead to significant outcomes. March forward.
- Emmerson 
 
The one percent change that I can make is to talk about [International Women’s Day] around home and share this with people so that its messages get heard.
- Summer 
 
[What inspired me about today’s session] was the idea that every great leader needs great followers. Whenever we get the chance to speak, we should rise to the occasion.
- Jessica 
 
To me, International Women’s Day is about recognising the strength and power that women hold, despite the equality challenges they may have experienced.
- Nicola
 
International Women’s Day is a day to recognise the many beneficial acts that women have started or taken part in. This day shows the importance of women, as they have great impact.
- Bella
 
To me, International Women’s Day means love, identity, unity, progress and hope.
- Anonymous

The colleges wishes all women a day of recognition, love and positivity and thanks them for all the ways - both seen and unseen - that they continue to change the world for the better.