United in Growth: Student leaders gather for annual SCLC Summit

Nov. 24, 2025

Student leaders from all six Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington (PVNC) Catholic secondary schools came together at St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School for this year’s Student Council Liaison Committee (SCLC) Summit.

It was a day dedicated to collaboration, leadership and strengthening student voice across the Board. Dressed in green “United in Growth” shirts, students spent the day forming new connections and engaging in activities designed to build skills and spark fresh ideas.

“Our theme is ‘United in Growth’ and that theme resonates with us as liaisons and as students,” said Carter Peios, Senior Student Trustee. “Growth is important. It’s something we see in our lives. As students, it’s something we aspire to do.”

The SCLC brings together student trustees, junior and senior representatives, a trustee, principals and the Director of Education each month to explore student priorities, share perspectives and strengthen communication between schools.

Alongside the work of our junior and senior student trustees, who represent their peers at monthly Regular Board meetings, the SCLC remains a vital forum for student voice. Through open dialogue and shared leadership, the committee ensures that students play an active role in shaping their school communities and contributing to decisions that impact their learning and well-being.

“Leadership, to me, is about representation and about sharing and advocating for fellow students and other people in your community to allow their voices to be heard on a higher level,” said Isabelle Young, Student Liaison at St. Peter Catholic Secondary School.

“For me, it means a lot of things. Mostly, from my experience of being in student council, it’s not all about leading, but serving what your peers want and hearing their opinion and standing up for them,” added Ayaji Antolin, Student Liaison at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School.

“Leadership, to me, isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room but listening to all opinions and showing individuals how to get through uncomfortable situations and making the best out of what we’re given,” said Eva Winn, Student Liaison at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School.

“I would say to anyone who wants to be a leader, you don’t have to do grand things to be important or to do important things,” added Peios. “As long as your actions are done with meaning and purpose, that’s what true leadership is.”