BSSC Year 12 student, Amy Jefferis, found the biggest challenge moving into Year 7 at Weeroona College (WCB)—a school where she thrived—was change itself.
Four years later, starting at BSSC, she was still pretty nervous, but had, “kind of learned to manage change better by this time”.
“I would love to go back and remind my twelve-year-old self, ‘Don’t take things so seriously. Relax. It might feel rough for a while, but you’ll be okay’.”
At BSSC Amy quickly realised she had a smorgasbord of possibilities before her and uses the word, ‘opportunity’ to describe the college.
She’s now convinced she wouldn’t have had these opportunities elsewhere.
“As well as the academic side, I have become much more comfortable with who I am. I feel more ‘at home’ with myself and more able to fully engage at school.”
Her leadership skills, developed at WCB, transferred seamlessly to BSSC when she put her hand up to be part of BSSC’s Ambassador Program.
This led to her helping host events such as the 2024 Anzac Day ceremony in Ulumbarra and made her more aware of what was actually going on in the college.
Amy especially loved leading tours on Open Day.
“Showing others around this amazing college and being able to say, ‘look what we have, you should totally come here’ was awesome.
“All this looks great on a resume too!”
BSSC’s study blocks are something Amy really appreciates.
She says they not only enhance students’ capacity to complete homework and study, but they have allowed her to develop a greater maturity and through extra-curricular activities.
From debating—Amy says everyone should learn the art of debate—to special events or extra time with teachers, she appreciates not having to miss a class to take up new opportunities.
Despite the extra pressure of Year 12, Amy hopes to be an Ambassador this year too.
Always someone who enjoyed school, Amy usually didn’t have to do hours of homework to grasp important concepts. However, she’s presently ‘sitting in a moment’ realising doing your work in class and completing set homework is not enough in Year 12.
“I’m realising there really is a difference between homework and study—and some study techniques actually feel unnatural to me. But I think practice exams and SACs will work best for me. Going over and over something really helps me embed theory.”
She has also discovered the “amazing” extra resources at BSSC which make it easier for her to take responsibility for her learning.
Rapt with all her BSSC teachers, Amy has found their encouragement incredibly valuable and come to greatly appreciate their commitment to their students.
This year her subjects are: English Literature, Maths Methods, General Maths, Chemistry, and Biology. Last year she completed 3/4 Legal Studies.
“Studying literature is an excellent balance to all my science subjects. I feel like I use a completely different part of my brain.”
Chemistry is a favourite, but Amy admits to a love-hate relationship with the subject.
“Some aspects take so much work to understand, but you cover such a breadth of fascinating topics. Maths Methods is challenging because of the sheer amount of work.”
Methods has also activated Amy’s natural stubbornness.
“I’ve always been stubborn—just ask my mum! But in Methods it’s beneficial because I refuse to concede defeat. The downside is I’m less likely to ask for help.”
Like most students, de-stressing is important.
“Thinking clearly is harder when you’re stressed; taking breaks means you come back and see things you missed.
“To de-stress, I just stop. Even a few minutes away from the books, or a quick walk, makes me feel so much better. I also love to talk stuff through.”
Amy loves listening to music and managed to clock up hundreds of hours on Spotify last year.
Other interests help keep life in balance too. She plays netball and works part-time work at McDonalds—and a book is never far away from this avid reader.
Not yet settled on a career, Amy says one possibility is Science/Law due to a strong interest in both areas.
Her love of science prompted her to apply for National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) which she attended during the recent January holidays.
This ten-day immersion in all things Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) changed its usual approach to the allocation of areas of enquiry this year.
“Students indicated areas of interest before we went. But instead of giving us our first preference, we were mostly given our areas of least interest. Perhaps they hoped to broaden our focus?
“Sometimes I found it hard to engage,” she says. “It was still worthwhile, but we gave feedback it didn’t work.”
Global issues concern Amy and she believes young people are more aware of these now.
“Climate Change is a big one and I do worry about what my generation will be left with. I think about animals I may never see or beautiful places that will disappear under the ocean.”
Amy has committed to avoiding the distraction of the news during Year 12.
In contrast to her concerns—or perhaps because of them—she’s very grateful for the good things in her life—especially a supportive family she knows she can rely on for help if she needs it.
“I also remember I am so fortunate to live in a comfortable house and have enough good food. It can be easy to overlook these things—but so many people don’t have them.
“And I’m grateful for this school. It has given me so much and I feel so lucky to be here.”
