John Paul College recently hosted our second TEDx JPC event, an inspiring evening that brought together students from JPC, other MACS schools and a JPC Alumnus to share original ideas, spark conversation and explore a wide range of social, ethical and personal topics.
The event provided a platform for students to step onto the TEDx stage and present ideas that challenged thinking and encouraged audiences to see familiar issues in new ways. Across the evening, talks explored themes of success, inequality, gender representation, wellbeing, technology, community and belonging.
One presentation reflected on how success is often measured through visible achievements such as grades and awards, and invited audiences to consider the unseen growth that comes through resilience, consistency and everyday effort.
Another talk examined whether inequality is simply an outcome of economic systems or something that is built into their very structure, prompting reflection on how wealth and opportunity are distributed in society.
Gender bias and representation were also explored, particularly in relation to women in STEM, physics and sport, with a focus on how visibility and recognition continue to shape opportunity and perception.
My TEDx experience was a moment where my voice was truly heard.
Wellbeing and personal performance were key themes in another presentation, which considered how shifting focus inward and reducing external distractions can support greater happiness, presence and achievement.
Future-focused ideas were also shared, including ethical questions around digital consciousness and whether human identity could extend beyond the physical body through technology.
Other talks highlighted the importance of visibility and care in society, from supporting shelter animals and recognising those who are often overlooked, to exploring how action, awareness and empathy can create meaningful change.
Innovation in safety technology was also explored, with discussion around how emerging tools such as drones could support lifesaving efforts and improve outcomes in coastal environments.
Community and belonging featured strongly as well, with reflection on how shared values, relationships and supportive school environments contribute to personal growth and prepare young people for life beyond school.
TEDx was an opportunity to share my own opinions on our world.
Across all presentations, a common thread emerged: the importance of perspective. Each speaker encouraged audiences to question assumptions, think critically and consider the impact of systems, choices and behaviours on both individuals and communities.
TEDx JPC continues to provide a powerful platform for student voice, encouraging confidence, creativity and thoughtful engagement with the world around them.
Experience the inspiring ideas shared on the TEDx JPC stage by exploring the full collection of talks below.
Abigail, Year 11
Women's Health: Show Me the Money!
Women’s health continues to be significantly underrepresented in medical research, with serious conditions often receiving less funding, slower diagnosis pathways, and fewer treatment options compared to other areas of medicine. This imbalance raises urgent questions about how research priorities are set - and who they are really serving.
In her talk, Abigail explores why these gaps exist in medical research and funding, and what needs to change to ensure healthcare systems better reflect and support over half the global population.
Dr. Xavier Busuttil-Crellin
The ABC’s of medicine life and death
The ABC framework is one of the first things learned in both primary education and medical training, but in emergency and critical care settings, these basics take on profound meaning. When a patient’s life is at risk, every decision becomes immediate, complex, and deeply human.
Xavier Busuttil-Crellin explores how foundational medical principles are applied in high-pressure environments where clinicians must balance knowledge, judgement and humanity in life-and-death situations.
Sydney, Year 10
The Invisible Scoreboard
Success is often measured through visible achievements - grades, awards, wins - but these external markers don’t always reflect true personal growth. Many of the most meaningful developments happen quietly, through consistency, resilience and everyday effort that often goes unnoticed.
Sydney explores how we define success and challenges audiences to reconsider what progress really looks like beyond traditional measures of achievement.
Harlene, Year 12
Rewire Your Mind to Rewrite Your Future
The brain is not fixed - it is constantly adapting and reshaping itself in response to experiences, environments and decisions. This concept of neuroplasticity shows that personal change is not only possible, but ongoing throughout life.
Harlene explores how understanding the science of the brain can empower individuals to take control of their habits, mindset and future direction.
Oliver, Year 11
It’s Time to Pull Your Head Out of the Sand
Politics is often seen as distant or irrelevant, but in reality it influences almost every part of daily life - from education and healthcare to rights and opportunities. When people disengage, decisions are made without their voices being heard.
Oliver explores why civic participation matters, the risks of political apathy, and the power individuals hold to create change through awareness and action.
Paige, Year 7
Why do we break the rules?
Rule-breaking is often seen as simple defiance, but psychological research suggests the reasons are far more complex. Factors such as identity formation, social influence, and changing cultural expectations all play a role in shaping behaviour - especially during adolescence.
Paige explores the psychology behind rule-breaking and challenges audiences to rethink stereotypes about young people and their decision-making.
Maxwell, Year 11
A System of Inequality
Inequality is often seen as an unfortunate by-product of capitalism, but is it actually built into the system itself? The structures that shape how wealth is created and distributed may not just allow inequality to exist - they may actively produce and sustain it.
Maxwell explores the foundations of economic inequality, challenging audiences to consider whether disparity is incidental or an inherent outcome of the systems we rely on. He encourages listeners to engage with multiple perspectives and think critically about how economic frameworks shape human lives.
Alisha, Year 12
More Than My Gender
Women’s contributions have long been shaped - and often limited - by persistent stereotypes, particularly in male-dominated fields like STEM, physics and sport. While progress has been made, recognition and visibility still lag behind ability.
Alisha explores the impact of these biases, drawing on personal insight and historical examples of overlooked women. Her talk challenges audiences to reconsider whose voices are heard and calls for a future where women are not only present, but truly recognised.