Year 12 student, Kloe Soper, describes BSSC as a college with “insanely fabulous resources and committed teachers willing to help students one-on-one”.
“I have never been to such an inspiring school. I quickly realised I could do whatever I wanted to a really high standard at senior—all that’s needed was my own passion to succeed.
“Any self-motivated, independent learner will find BSSC is just perfect,” she says.
Kloe’s commitment to attending BSSC is impressive: she drives half an hour to the train station so she can take a 45-minute commute to Bendigo and repeats this in reverse each afternoon.
It’s a big challenge, but fortunately, she can study on the train—or even sleep, if she’s really tired.
Completing 3/4 Psychology last year reduced this year’s load allowing Kloe to focus on English, PE, Maths Methods, and D&T Competition Vehicles.
Transferring to BSSC from Mt Macedon’s Braemar College halfway through Year 11, Kloe has vivid memories of walking into BSSC’s Technology area and being amazed by what she was seeing.
“I had never even heard of D&T Competition Vehicles,” she says. “I quickly realised I could add a creative, hands-on balance to my academic program—so good for the soul!”
As one of the riders in the human-powered vehicles she helps build, Kloe is committed to keeping a high level of bike fitness in preparation for the energy-vehicle endurance events where the little cars sometimes compete continually for 24hrs.
The supportive environment she enjoys at BSSC, and the range of cultures and backgrounds represented by students and teachers, make BSSC a diverse place she’s pleased to be part of.
“There must be some really great backstories to people at this college,” she muses.
Sitting down to study, Kloe finds practice questions helpful—as many students do. However, she accompanies this with a rather unorthodox approach.
“I have a 15-season, cringy, terrible, B-grade TV series playing in the background while I work,” she says with a laugh.
“When I need a break, I’ll watch it for a while—and it’s always soooo boring, I’m pretty happy to get back to my homework.”
An unexpected benefit of this approach has been a capacity to zone out to other noises or disruptions around her in classrooms.
“It’s like I’ve trained my brain to ignore distractions.”
A recent joint winner at BSSC’s 2024 Speech Night, Kloe presented a compelling argument calling people concerned about Climate Change to avoid violent protest methods.
Her talk, ‘Radical Climate Protesters’, drew attention to aggressive approaches some protesters are employing.
Although aware of the urgency around mitigating Climate Change, Kloe drew attention to the irony of violent means when violence being perpetrated towards the earth is a fundamental problem.
“I came to wonder what kind of place the earth would be if people who see violence as the best method were allowed to create the future.”
Her novel approach was thought-provoking and convincing.
Blessed with a kind of ‘super-power’, Kloe can commit to memory most of something she’s read.
Therefore, her presentation was delivered without recourse to notes, and her eye-contact with the audience, uninterrupted.
“I was the last speaker and the others had been exceptional, so I was really surprised to be selected as joint winner.”
Looking to the future, she is considering Sports Psychology or perhaps Radiography. Both careers offer a great variety of settings—guaranteed to keep life interesting and stimulating.
When she’s not at school Kloe has enjoyed an almost lifelong love of horses. She has competed in equestrian events since she was eight years old.
“After outstanding results at every pony club event I went to, I outgrew my horse—but then I had a series of unfortunate experiences with my next three horses.
“I was only a ten-year-old when one had to be euthanised, which was incredibly traumatic.
“Back then, I had honestly expected that by now I would be competing at very high-level equestrian events—instead I’m sometimes competing against talented ten-year-olds.
“I refuse to be upset about this,” she says, “I’m still determined to do my best!”
These and other experiences have taught Kloe the value of sticking with uncomfortable situations and giving her very best if there is something truly valuable to be gained.
“When I was in prep, my younger brother was born seriously premature. I was visiting the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for months and had to adjust to living with my aunt—who happens to be wonderful, and has become an important role-model for me.
“Being confronted with tiny, seriously unwell, babies meant entering a world I had never known existed.”
Kloe’s good fortune in having an aunt able to support her through this has cemented their relationship and Kloe hopes her own life will be as fulfilled as her aunt’s, a person with a Ph.D. in Teaching who has travelled widely.
“There’s so much else I’m grateful for too: my parents, the opportunities I’ve had, and even being born into a generation and culture where the oppression of women in increasingly frowned upon.”
Looking back over the challenges she’s found daunting, Kloe feels some pride in keeping her head up and admires friends who have also been able to find their way despite difficult times.
She’s also clear about how to de-stress when life gets too full-on.
There’s nothing more soothing or mood-boosting for her than to head down the paddock and take her horse, Belle, for a ride.
Adored by her whole family, Kloe says Belle is more like a friend than an equestrian partner.
“I’m so glad I’ve learnt to be resilient and not quit. It would be part of my advice to my twelve-year-old self to say, ‘Keep getting up. Keep going’.
“I think it would have been even more encouraging as I made hard decisions—such as changing colleges—to have the phrase, ‘seize every opportunity’ playing in my mind.”