Being at BSSC has allowed Year 12 student, Tiffany Williams, to pursue two important goals: one is academic success, and the second is extending her sporting capacity.
Netball is Tiffany’s game, and she plays for Eaglehawk Football Netball Club.
“Netball allows me to de-stress completely because, when you’re in the middle of a game, there’s no way you can think about schoolwork—or anything else.”
Tiffany is also part of BSSC’s ADP—Athlete Development Program—which ensures students with a long-term commitment to their sport can continue to develop despite the challenges of VCE.
“The ADP gives me access to strength and conditioning training, nutrition information, great speakers, a chance to meet other students really into sport, and keeps me pushing myself to improve.”
AFL footballer, Dusty Martin, is a sportsperson Tiffany deeply admires.
“I’m so sorry he had to retire. No-one, as far as I know, has won a Brownlow Medal, played in a winning grand final team, and been named best-on-ground for that grand final—all in the one year.”
Last year, to her great surprise, Tiffany managed a similar feat in her own sphere, and it meant a great deal to her.
Despite her commitments to school and sport, Tiffany also works part-time at K-mart and somehow still manages to find time to hang out with friends and catch up with her wider family.
VCE workload is Tiffany’s biggest challenge. She cares very much about her marks, but tries not to put too much pressure on herself.
“When I was at Crusoe College, I was part of the LEX program for students really keen to extend themselves.
“I was looking forward to coming to BSSC but initially pretty nervous about changing colleges—especially because none of my close friends were in my classes. So, I sat with someone who was at least familiar, and kept focused on schoolwork.
“But everyone was so welcoming and accepting, and the people in my classes really wanted to be there and get good marks.
As it turned out, it was only a few weeks until she met someone who she still has a very close connection to—and Tiffany is now in classes with friends she has made since coming to senior.
“There is nothing about BSSC I want to change and these days I would definitely say to others, ‘come to this college’.”
Tiffany has also noticed the amazing support teachers offer students and has continued to appreciate revision sessions, bootcamps, and the valuable feedback after practice SACs.
“I feel like the emphasis here on balancing learning and freedom has really prepared me for uni—and probably prepares all students for life in general.”
Since Grade 5, Tiffany has been set on a career in the Law. She’s not sure why, by suspects it could be because a family friend went through a legal process around that time and another family friend actually works in a prison.
However, over the last few months, the idea of being a physiotherapist has been playing on Tiffany’s mind too—so watch this space!
This year she’s given up watching the news because she finds it so worrying, but remains concerned about the types of crime-rates rising again.
“Recidivism (repeat offending) is sitting at 40% at the moment,” Tiffany explains. “I think there’s not enough emphasis on rehabilitation, yet the bail laws have not been strict enough either.
“Ideally every case needs to be dealt with on its own merits—which is very complex, and I think will always be a challenge.”
Prue is Tiffany’s Legal Studies teacher, and her capacity to say things in a way that makes them stick in Tiffany’s memory has been “amazing”.
Last year Tiffany completed two 3/4 subjects—General Maths and Health & Human Development—and managed to dux her H&HD class.
With her Year 12 timetable freed up a bit, she enrolled in the Centre for Higher Education Studies (CHES) program being run through La Trobe University, Bendigo.
CHES is allowing her to study a first-year university Law subject which she acknowledges is a “huge step” but great preparation for tertiary studies.
Tiffany’s study style is to be somewhere with no distractions—no phone nearby and a clear plan for what she wants to achieve from the session.
Excelling academically, and with sport, has been complemented by much-valued personal changes.
“BSSC has made me more open, more flexible about change, and more willing to take on new roles and reflect on possible futures I hadn’t considered before.”
The importance of good people around her is something she values deeply, and her mum’s support particularly impresses her.
“I’m grateful for all my family. They are such a massive part of my life—and even though I think I annoy them; they still help me out.”
Her friendships inspire her in different ways.
“I have lots of ‘best’ friends! But I particularly remember one friend saying to me one day, ‘No-one cares’.
“Not in the mean sense, but in the sense of not worrying about others’ expectations.
“Be great to be able to go back and give my younger self that sort of advice. I’d tell myself to enjoy life, to not overthink things. To take every opportunity. To stop being so nervous about change.”
Successfully nominating to become a Student Ambassador is one of the changes Tiffany took on this year. She’s looking forward to contributing to her peers’ experience at senior, and representing the college at numerous events.
With hindsight, Tiffany wishes she’d joined the Ambassadors last year because she has already strengthened her leadership skills and met so many new people.
“I’m really keen to have a positive impact at this college. I can’t wait to be involved with Open Day and I’m already looking forward to the Formal.”
