For many young people, Taylor Swift encapsulates friendship, the importance of a support network, and the requirement for you to be a support network for others. A bridge must be built from both sides.

Taylor Swift is still friends with Abigail Anderson, who she mentions in her song Fifteen, which she wrote when she was Fifteen: “You sit in class next to a redhead named Abigail … And soon enough you’re best friends”. Swift is proof that we work better together – when women support other women, they are unstoppable. When we support others, we are sustained, encouraged, and empowered.

Now that Swift has moved onto the next town our challenge as educators is to sustain and harness the power she inspired in people, especially our young women, during her time in Australia.

We must encourage the sequin-studded, friendship-braceleted inclusive camaraderie that has been on display among our young (and older) citizens and channel this infectious energy into helping women, especially, find their individual versions of achievement to be collectively celebrated.

Lorna Beegan is the principal at Strathcona Girls Grammar.