Some faces at BSSC are very recognisable. Year 12 student, Isabelle Houghton, fronts the band, ‘The Unknown’ that regularly performs at BSSC’s weekly ‘Open Mic’ sessions in the Ulumbarra Plaza.
The band—which includes musicians Will Miller, Olive Davis and Toby Clayton—gets a great reception from other students and grabs every chance to perform.
They did a gig at the Axedale Tavern earlier this year and were part of the recent Bendigo Easter Parade.
Like many new students, Isabelle was a little daunted about beginning Year 11 at a new school. It was music that helped ease the process because her band, who had formed when they we were all in Year 8 at Crusoe College, all came to BSSC too.
She was only a couple of weeks in when she realised she felt totally settled.
“At Crusoe, our gigs were assigned by the college, but at BSSC we’re expected to take some responsibility for organising our performances.
“It made us realise we were serious about music and willing to put in the extra effort.”
The amazing Sherri Parry is Isabelle’s singing teacher and Isabelle says Sherri is not only an incredible singer and performer, but a great teacher too.
“We’ve truly clicked and really enjoy each other’s company.”
When selecting something to learn, Isabelle says she usually chooses music that challenges her voice and makes her work hard to learn the piece.
Rock music is her favourite listening ‘go to’ because she likes the driving force behind it and the passion of people who perform and truly enjoy it. A song that has always stayed with her is ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac.
“Maybe everyone’s a bit sick of it, but there’s something about it that takes me back to when the band was just starting out. It makes me very happy.”
Unsurprisingly, the Music Department is Isabelle’s favourite place at the college. The library is another highly valued space.
“The library is way bigger than I initially realised, and I study there all the time now. I’d recommend this space if you’re serious about getting your work done at school.”
This year Isabelle is studying VET Music Performance, English Language, General Maths, Sociology, and Psychology. She finds listening to music fundamental to helping her concentrate when she studies.
“I sometimes play a new song I need to learn, over and over—so you could even say I’m multi-tasking!”
Isabelle recalls that, while she felt settled at the college very quickly, really committing to her studies in Year 11 took a few months.
“That’s the only challenge I’ve faced here.”
More generally, she has found the college a “freeing” place and recommends it as, “a great space to mature and become serious about what you want to do.
“I love that my teachers are people I can get along with who treat students as capable of taking responsibility for themselves.”
Isabelle deals with the stresses of VCE by trying to block it out using techniques such as visual breaks—for example, looking out the window for a short time. At home doing something completely different, such as cleaning her room or talking to someone, also works well.
“When I need a longer break, I’ll watch a movie or get lost in a video game and, of course, I play my guitar and sing. Mum is also a great listener.”
Given the opportunity to sing with anyone she chose, Isabelle immediately says she’d choose her mum.
“I love singing with her and she comes alive when she sings. However, she’s way too shy to get up on stage with me—but one day I’ll drag her up there!!”
While music provides the rhythm to Isabelle’s life, her psychology studies are foundational to her future plans.
She finds human social interactions fascinating and is hoping to study Psychology at La Trobe University, Bendigo and become a psychotherapist.
“I want to have a career that means I am helping people who need a hand.”
Isabelle is appalled by some of the violence and injustice she is hearing about from around the world.
“It’s atrocious what’s happening in the US at the moment and with Russia and Ukraine. Sometimes it makes me a bit nervous about the future. I’m very happy we live on an island far away.”
Before these plans unfold, another adventure is on her agenda. Isabelle will be taking a gap year in 2026 and, during northern hemisphere’s warmer season, will travel through Europe with her family for five months.
Isabelle enjoys a great relationship with her family and says she finds it “a beautiful thing” that they love her so much.
“They’re also great fun. Dad’s the king of ‘dad jokes’—but Mum’s just as bad!”
Advice for twelve-year-old Isabelle from her older self can be delivered in point form:
- Keep going
- Stay close to good people
- Get closer to the microphone!
