Year 12 BSSC student, Arlo MacDonald, has already realised the great feeling he experiences when he’s out in nature is worth investing in.
He describes the Outdoor Education trips he’s been on as “amazing” and particularly enjoyed the 2024 ski trip. Arlo has also completed three days of the Great Ocean Walk and enjoys camping, bushwalking and mountain-biking outside of school too.
“I love the challenges of hi-graded walks (ie: hard ones) and the interesting natural phenomena you learn about—you also build great relationships with others on trips like this.”
His favourite place? There are many, but he describes Wilson’s Promontory as, “seriously, seriously beautiful.”
A career that will maximise his opportunities to be outdoors is front and centre of Arlo’s plans. Whether that involves teaching Outdoor Education, working in conservation management or within an organisation such as Parks Victoria, the future is definitely outside.
“I talked with my Outdoor Ed teachers and followed up by seeing the Careers and Pathways Team who really helped me hone in on actual courses and where they would lead.”
Arlo would like to study at La Trobe Bendigo, but thinks he could handle the commute if the course was located in Melbourne’s CBD.
As someone with a deep passion for the natural world, Arlo has some concerns about the challenges the environment is up against at present.
“Because the world—and even the Australian—population has grown so much, habitat for other creatures is being severely impacted. I also feel really sad about some people’s attitudes towards the environment generally and particularly conservation.
As well as the environment, an interest in ancient history has opened up a whole new understanding about the way Western Culture has evolved.
“I think there’s a lack of awareness about ancient history and what the world once was—and what we could still learn from this.
“Like, some people think the goldrush in Central Victoria is somehow ancient history. It’s not. It’s quite a modern thing in the big picture—although it’s consequences for the local landscape has been huge.”
Having turned 18 just two weeks before the federal election, Arlo looks forward to casting his first ballot and did a heap of research to prepare.
(Had the election been the expected date of April 12 Arlo would have missed out by a week!)
Arlo believes—and is relieved—that Australia is a relatively stable country by comparison to some, and less impacted by extremist politics.
His passion for music, and an expectation music will always be part of his life, has been greatly enhanced by his involvement with the band, ‘The Chans’.
The band has been together for years and are good mates as well as music collaborators. Last year they were featured on Triple J’s ‘Unearthed’ and have also been played on Phoenix FM.
He is often to be seen playing bass guitar at BSSC’s Open Mic sessions in the Plaza—perhaps an ideal setting for a musician who loves the outdoors.
His music tastes are broad. At the moment he’s listening to everything from folk to Daft Punk’s electronic sounds.
Music has another role in his life too: it’s one of the ways Arlo de-stresses.
“Of course, I get stressed sometimes,” he says. “You’d have to be a robot to not get stressed in Year 12!”
Typical of people who love bushwalking, Arlo also uses physical activity to unwind and says another great ‘de-stressor’ is being around his family’s pet dog—a standard poodle named Kevin.
This year Arlo is studying VET Music Performance, English, Ancient History, Outdoor Education, and General Maths.
Enjoying his time at senior, he says he “absolutely recommends” the college. And it’s not just because his dad—a teacher here—gives him a free lift to school and allows him to access a staff fridge to store his lunch!!
Arlo has found BSSC to be a place that’s “positively busy—in a really good way—bustling with lots of life and personality.”
If he could change one thing about the college, he would love to see SACs set up so students didn’t end up with more than one in a single week.
Meanwhile, as he prepares for SACs and exams, he finds it helpful to be around other people. Even when he’s at home, he chooses to work at the kitchen table rather than in his room.
“Really, the desk in my room just takes up space.”
Arlo got into the habit of using practice exams last year when he was doing 3/4 Legal Studies and continues to find them super helpful.
He’s also made the most of the extra resources/input on offer through Edrolo and says he benefits from hearing information multiple times presented in a variety of ways.
“It’s like a little lecture with a multiple-choice quiz at the end—or you can download it as a PDF.”
Arlo appreciates his family for many reasons. One is their incredible adaptability. He says it’s like they are “kind of elastic”.
“We still have family in Birmingham in the UK, and have moved between Australia and the UK multiple times. I think we’ve learnt we can rely on each other and adjust to challenges quickly.”
Arlo has also been to multiple schools in Australia.
While the family has been incredibly flexible when it comes to place, Arlo has enjoyed the stability of a supportive extended family.
He mentions his grandmother as someone he deeply admires.
“She is a financial counsellor and helps a lot of people. She doesn’t need to do this—but she’s a kind person who really cares about her clients. I’d like to adopt her values and develop her personal strength.”
Looking back across the last few years, Arlo sees how he has been able to adjust to the many changes he’s been through, and would love to go back and tell his younger self to stay on track and just keep going.
“Just go for it. Shit will happen. It will pass. Keep tracking.”
