The influence of teachers is widely accepted to be very significant.
For BSSC Year 12 student, Mikayla Roberts-White, their Prep teacher, Mark Winter, will always be a hugely impressive person who has deeply impacted their life.
“It’s not just that he was a great teacher and taught me to read, it was the way the class was run; he was always so welcoming and so inclusive of everyone—even those kids who just couldn’t sit still.
“When I was in Grade 1 my mum told me that Mark had Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and that it was terminal.
“The following year our school raised funds for MND by doing ‘The Nutbush’ on the school oval. It felt so good to being trying to do something to make a difference,” Mikayla remembers.
“I think we set some kind of record, and Mark was there in his wheelchair to watch us.
“I just bawled my eyes out when he died during my Grade 2 year.”
Mikayla recently rediscovered their prep reading diary and saw that some of Mark’s writing was in it. They are considering getting a tattoo based on something he wrote.
“I’m also so grateful for my glorious mother,” they say. “She has been through so much and has put so much time and effort caring for my sister and me.
“When I was twelve Mum and Dad were really unhappy and I would love to go back and somehow convince Mum to split from Dad earlier than she did.
“Awful as all this was, I would say I have grown so much because of it.”
BSSC has worked really well for Mikayla. Again, it’s the way they’re taught that they like most about senior.
“The staff here are so inclusive and my favourite teachers know how to manage a classroom, teach their subject, and make learning fun.
“Sam Gibbs draws the most hilarious drawings to help us remember key points and Tim Rickwood has this great understanding of individual student needs.
“I also think Kylie is amazing.”
When asked about whether they recommend the college to others, Mikayla responded; “A blunt ‘yes’ to that! It’s such a safe place full of opportunities to expand your knowledge.”
Mikayla describes the culture of the college as ‘freeing’ because they can manage their time in ways that work best for them. The only change about BSSC they would like is to see the LGBTIQA+ group not meeting separately.
“I’m out and proud and to me it just shouldn’t be an issue whether you’re queer or not—so meeting as a separate group doesn’t work for me.”
Beyond the college, the levels of discrimination and violence due to racism, and phobias about the queer community, have concerned Mikayla greatly. As a lesbian with an Indian heritage, they are acutely conscious of the impact of such prejudice.
Renee Rapp is a US singer and actress best known for her role in ‘Mean Girls’. “The way she handles herself, and the criticism she gets for being a lesbian, makes her an important role model for me,” Mikayla says.
“I’d love to talk with her about how she navigates the world, especially the US at the moment.”
Before coming to the college Mikayla was worried BSSC would be a stressful experience. However, it was a brochure put out by the college that was key to allaying concerns about the move to senior.
“Once I got here I immediately made new friends and some of those friendships have been so significant and given me so much support—especially Harvey Jenkyn-Taylor.”
When the stress builds, Mikayla pulls on headphones and lets music do its magic.
“I use big headphones so people don’t interrupt me. I also love going for bike rides—there’s something about the feeling of the wind in my face that calms me down.”
They also appreciate time alone. Although Mikayla had once considered themselves an extrovert, they have gradually realised they might be more of an introvert—”though I still love hanging out with friends.”
Mikayla’s favourite subject at BSSC is VET Building and Construction, but all subjects were selected to set them up for a career in the army, where Mikayla would like to do a carpentry/building apprenticeship.
“I was in Year 6 when I decided this was for me. I saw it as a way of contributing to others. For example, I will be helping to make safe shelters and buildings for army support and refuge.
“The dream drizzled away for a few years, then at the end of Year 9 I spent a term at the Alpine School and a talk by a police officer re-ignited my passion to be in the services.”
Mikayla has been a part of Army Cadets—although taking a break from cadets during Year 12—and is presently attending a personal training program twice a week through La Trobe University who have an arrangement with the Australian Army to offer free personal training to students going into the army.
Next year Mikayla will complete Basic Military Training then spend some time in a private business to strengthen their building and carpentry skills.
One of their favourite aphorisms, ‘if you’re on time you’re late’ will no doubt stand them in good stead in the both army and private enterprise.
“After basic training I will be on one of the bases around Australia. My course will be four years, I will get paid from day one, and when I finish I need to give the army five years.”
While Mikayla does not need an ATAR for the plans to enter the army, they still say they want to get the best number they can.
