BSSC Year 12 student, Bella Ruschmeyer-Ray, says two aspects of the college she has really enjoyed are the connections with her teachers, and rekindling friendships with people she hasn’t seen for many years.

“I have had so many positive experiences at senior. The college is different to every other school I’ve ever been to—or what others tell me about their school experiences—so I 100% recommend BSSC.

“I love that I’ve had the opportunity to learn, not just alongside teachers and other students, but independently as well! Growing my skills as I become more independent is preparing me well for university.”

Bella is particularly enjoying Maths and Psychology this year and says she believes some maths should be compulsory even in Year 12 because it is so useful in everyday life.

She’s also fascinated by topics in Psychology that are incredibly relevant to her day-to-day life. Issues such as the importance of sleep and mental wellbeing, and reflecting on why we do some of the things we do.

When Bella’s studying, one of the methods that really helps get knowledge into her brain is to talk about it to someone else. She says it also builds her confidence that she does know it.

“But it sometimes drives my family mad,” she laughs. “A few times they’ve have to listen to me on a long car trip with no idea what I’m talking about!”

Bella is aware that cramming is not a recommended study method. However, she does find re-reading her notes the night before a SAC or exam really helpful.

Managing stress has not been easy, and she’s still trying to work out her best methods.

“Probably having an outlet like calisthenics is really good. It’s active, it’s social, and you have to focus totally on the routine, so it really is a brain break.

“You could also say I was born into it.”

Bella’s family own and run Sabelle Calisthenics club, and Bella has been attending classes since before she was even born—as her mum continued to teach during her pregnancy with Bella.

“I think I loved it from the start, attending my first classes when I was around two years. But I’d already spent heaps of time at the studio in Mum’s arms as she coached.”

Bella trains once, and coaches two nights each week, and is presently looking forward to competing in three events across the state and then state championships.

The people in the team she’s part of have been involved in calisthenics for a long time and she has a great deal of trust and confidence in their capacity to perform well. Still, she’s lucky to still be part of this sport at all.

When she was around ten years, Bella suffered quite a serious shoulder injury—just weeks out from representing Victoria at Nationals.

So typical of athletes, Bella was still determined to compete. She had intense therapy for her shoulder and then, the night before the event, after a rehearsal in Melbourne, she was at the doctor’s with a severe ear, nose and throat infection.

After these dramas it’s remarkable that Bella and her team returned with a bronze medal—and she names this event as one of the highlights of her life so far.

She’s planning for calisthenics to continue to be a big part of life and, as a qualified coach, Bella plans to keep involved as long as possible—depending on her schedule and uni commitments.

Another period of her life she really values was 2020 and being constantly at home.

“It was a real family time for us. Mum still refers to it as her maternity leave—something she didn’t have when we were born. We did yoga, barre, and other exercise at home. We walked kilometres and kept so active and fit.

“It was great spending so much time with Mum.”

Bella enjoys her part-time jobs at Priceline and the Bridgewater Hotel.

“I had a totally unexpected experience at Priceline recently after I had helped someone get a product their mother needed. They dropped off a small gift to say thank you. I reminded me how important it is to look after people at times when they are possibly more worried than you realise.”

Bella is aware and concerned that many kids and young people seem to lack boundaries and the support they need.

“Kids breaking the law, stealing cars and other stuff is really worrying. But I don’t know there’s much an individual can do about it.

“On the flip-side, I remember the speaker from the You Choose Program from the first day of term who said so many people think teenagers are the problem. But we’re not. It’s just society that makes everyone think we are.

“I think we’re all just people in an interesting—and challenging—world who sometimes make mistakes. And some people make a lot of mistakes.”

Meanwhile Bella names her family as the aspect of her life she is most grateful for. “They’re always there for me—even if I stuff up—and would never stop loving me.”

Once she has completed VCE, Bella is aiming to become both a midwife and a sonographer (person who performs ultrasounds).

“I’m thinking about a nursing/midwifery double degree and then a Graduate Diploma of Sonography. There are only two places in Australia you can do a stand-alone sonography course—I’ll check those out too.

“I’m also considering radiography.”

Given the miraculous opportunity to have a conversation with her younger self, Bella says she would say, “Everything is going to be okay. You might feel crappy for part of a day, but that should not ruin your whole day. Everything passes.”