BSSC Year 12 student, Michael Spicer, has discovered how incredibly interesting and useful the study of history can be.
He’s in agreement with the early 20th century Harvard Professor of Philosophy, George Santayana, who is famously attributed with the aphorism, ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’.
“History also inspires me to use a critical lens to judge my own society and culture,” Michael says, “To ask: ‘what power do the people have in the face of controlling structures and people’?
“Many political systems fall because of internal issues—and the Russian and Chinese Revolutions are examples of this.”
From ancient history, the Sumerians, the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans—who laid the foundations of our own culture—through to more recent events he’s explored in his History of Revolutions subject, Michael says you can see how history does repeat itself.
“Learning how empires arise, develop and then collapse, has brought great understanding about how they work and why they fail.”
He’s so inspired by the importance of history, Michael plans to become a history teacher, citing, “Angie Pollock’s enthusiasm for history has been inspirational for me.”
Meanwhile, he had his first chance to vote at the recent federal election and says he took his research seriously—keen to find out which party/candidate aligned most closely with his views.
Presently studying Ancient History, History of Revolutions, Politics, and English Literature, Michael also completed Legal Studies 3/4 last year.
He uses the word ‘opportunity’ to describe the college and is impressed by the wide range of programs BSSC offers all students. Michael says he’s “absolutely enjoying” his time at senior and there’s nothing he wants to change about the college.
“At BSSC, students can combine really diverse subjects. It’s also a very mature environment where students can have more challenging and constructive conversations that help you learn a lot about yourself. And you get great support. “I also like who I’ve become more than the newby I was when I started in Year11.
“There’s a great sense of community here because it’s easy to connect really well with fellow-students. Even though it seems like a contradiction because of the size of the college, there is this sense of a strong community across the school.”
Michael has developed study strategies that work well for him—prioritising what’s due or where he might need to catch up. He’s a big fan of practice questions and says the last thing he wants is to be sitting in the exam hall wondering what the word ‘evaluate’ means!
This said, he’s not impressed by the competitive nature of VCE, and says it makes him more apprehensive.
De-stressing is mainly through music—he likes a broad range of music genres—and other interests which include model-building and painting.
“I collect Warhammer and Gunplay models and I also enjoy sketching, digital art, and painting with acrylics. It’s a real outlet that channels my creativity.”
A part-time job at a supermarket, benefits both income and is also a break from the pressures of his studies.
Michael is impressed by anyone who is, or has been, willing to step up to push for a better life for the people around them. In his opinion, there’s plenty of room for improvement in the world and the world needs people willing to work for change.
“You look at the climate and we’re at breaking point. So many governments are too focused on who fills their pockets. There are awful conflicts everywhere.
“Mostly there’s little I can do—yet my studies show me that the power is actually with the people! At the moment many people still believe some of the tricks and lies that some politicians and lobbyists use, but we need long-term change made by leaders with long-term visions.
“I’d love to see more young people in politics.”
Right now, however, Michael is sincerely grateful about being able to live with so much freedom and support.
“I’m grateful for my privileges and for family, friends and teachers who are so supportive. I mean, I can spend money on non-essentials—lots of people can’t do that.”
If Michael could give his 12-year-old self some sage advice, he’d say: “Invest in the stock market and buy real estate!
“More seriously, I would encourage my younger self to keep up my commitment to my goals and accept that, while you can have off-days, you need to keep making progress.
“It’s like a metaphor for overcoming an obstacle: just keep taking out the bricks that make up the wall and when you’ve taken out enough bricks, you’ll just have a foundation to step over.”
