International Women’s Day 2026

In each Academy, students reflected on actions they can deliver to make positive change.

Leadership for Justice: Advocacy, Voice and Purposeful Action

The Senior Academy heard from students who reflected on the insights they gained through their work in the Respectful Relationships Committee, a collaboration with Hornsby Girls High School and Normanhurst Boys High School.

This was followed by a student‑led Q&A featuring Zoë Robinson, Executive Director of the Department for Education, Children and Young People in Tasmania and former NSW Advocate for Young People. Zoë encouraged students to engage in conversations that may feel uncomfortable but are ultimately illuminating, especially with the girls and women in their lives, about the inequalities they may be experiencing.

What general equity issues did you see in the community, as Youth Advocate for NSW?

“What I was seeing is some of those things are really just the stereotypes that we have about how a young man should be, how a young girl should be, and so we kind of immediately make assumptions. For some of the work that I did, it was literally just recognising that.

“There's progress being made in ways that are so wonderful that I do think you should take the moment to go, okay, we are doing good stuff. You are in a space now where you can have a conversation, and you probably have more awareness, and you acknowledge things around you, that I wouldn't have been taught back then.”

Martin (Year 12) shared the work of the Te-Kworo foundation and encouraged the boys to support the girls and women in Uganda, and their rights to education and medical care. The contributions the boys made during this assembly was significant, and tangibly showed the impact of their collective generosity.

Rights to Action: Dignity, Justice and Collective Impact

The Middle Academy explored the three pillars of this year’s global International Women’s Day theme – ‘Rights. Justice. Action’.

Students shared their reflections on what constitutes universal human rights, highlighting global activist campaigns that call for all genders to play a role in achieving equality, justice, and access to education.

The discussion also examined the former 10% tax on period products in Australia, sparking an important conversation about gender equity. This naturally connected to the meaningful work undertaken by our boys, who have been enthusiastically contributing to the Share the Dignity drive.

Balancing the Scales: Education, Equity and Action

The Junior Academy focused on the fundamental right to an education, particularly for girls in countries where access to schooling remains limited or inequitable.

During the assembly, representatives from UnitingWorld shared insights into their work to improve educational opportunities for girls. They highlighted the transformative impact of education, not only on each individual girl, but also on her family, her community, and broader societal outcomes. Students deepened their understanding of the powerful connection between education, justice, and long‑term, sustainable change.

We also heard from women within our Knox community, who spoke about the importance of education in shaping their own lives. They reflected on the opportunities it has created for them to build meaningful careers and make positive contributions to society.

Our students then took part in a panel discussion on the significance of International Women’s Day, articulating why equality matters and how young men can play an active role in supporting it.