Born in the UK in Birmingham, BSSC Year 12 student, Adam Fisher, arrived in Australia with his family when he was 18 months old in 2010.

He says that the two visits he’s since made back to England have convinced him his parents made a good decision.

“So far, the best reason I’ve heard for them emigrating is how terrible the UK weather is. It’s so different to here.

“I remember trying to reacclimatise after visiting England one Christmas. It was incredibly cold there and we arrived back to almost 40*C heat!”

Australian weather has certainly made the family’s involvement in the Scouting Movement more enjoyable.

Moving through the ranks of the Scout Movement since around seven years old, Adam is now a Venturer—the most senior rank before becoming a leader.

During the recent January holidays he attended the Maryborough Jamboree in Queensland and has another two camping trips associated with Scouts coming up over the next months. And he knows, chances are, the weather will be fine and sunny.

“I’ve had so much fun and made so many friends in Scouts and—because I love camping—it’s ideal for me. I also enjoy the leadership training and the life skills you get.

“It’s particularly great having Dad involved with Scouts too.”

Adam says his parents really impress him with their patience and the way they support his interests.

“But I think my parents’ greatest achievement is teaching me how NOT to die!

“They have taught my brothers and I how important it is to grab opportunities and enjoy all kinds of adventures in life—but also to manage risks.”

Other opportunities his parents have given him, or allowed him to be part of, have been hugely appreciated—such as a trip to Nepal in the middle of last year and, of course, all the camping trips with Scouts.

If you add in Adam’s involvement in badminton, including coaching, he is doing plenty to keep fit and add balance to life as a VCE student.

“Yes,” he agrees, “I do have a full and interesting life—maybe a little too full and a little too interesting sometimes. It can make completing homework a little more challenging.”

This year Adam is studying English Language, Chemistry, Maths Methods, General Maths and Physics. Since coming to BSSC he has unexpectedly discovered English is a favourite subject.

“For the first time in years I’m enjoying English and finding it just clicks for me,” he says. “The two English teachers I’ve had at BSSC—David Van Es and Ward Buckeridge—have been so good.”

Chemistry is his other fave, and again his teachers—Jane Fong and Sarah Nagle—have been an important part of that.

However, Adam admits Chemistry has the added advantage of a whole group of his friends taking the subject too.

“I’m not sure that’s always such a great thing,” he says with a wry smile.

His biggest personal challenge is the Methods coursework load, but as far as senior is concerned, there is nothing about the college he would change.

“I am constantly recommending it to others,” he says, “and I choose the word, ‘enjoyable’ to describe BSSC.”

Adam appreciates the amazing resources the college offers, and the sense of being trusted with the freedom students have, has taught him to ask for help.

“There’s also a physical sense to the freedom here—as though there are no borders and all of Bendigo is part of the college.”

Adam is still trying to figure out the study method that works best for him. At the moment he’s finding what he describes as ‘the stressful approach’ is working rather well.

“Or, in other words,” he says, “I get this done or I’m screwed!

“I’m easily distracted,” he admits. “For example, we have these two cats who have no sympathy for my deadlines and will spend however long it takes to bully me into giving them extra food!”

Still, Adam is getting better at organising himself. Spending his study blocks in the college’s library—a cat-free zone—and focusing on completing sets of questions, is likely to be the approach he will use most.

Still to settle on a career, Adam is looking forward to speaking with BSSC’s Careers & Pathways Team during the year.

“What I want is a job that allows me to do heaps of travel and live a comfortable life. I can imagine myself being a chemical engineer, or something like that.”

Adam is aware there are many places in the world where it is almost impossible for some people to hold such aspirations, quickly listing off issues plaguing the US, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

“But I tend not to look at it too much. I guess I’m choosing blissful ignorance because I don’t feel I can do anything about it, and it drags me down thinking about it.

“I was around twelve when the pandemic began. If I could go back and give myself some advice, I would say, ‘invest in stocks that will skyrocket during Covid—and go outside more during the pandemic lockdowns’.

“Any regrets I have from the past have shaped who I am, so I actually wouldn’t choose to take away my mistakes and challenges.”