BSSC Year 12 student, Brooke Ludeman, is an advocate for students doing what they love and being open to changes that strengthen capacity, wellbeing and maturity.
In this regard she sets a great example.
Her favourite subject at her 7-10 college was in the business/accounting arena. She completed units 3/4 in Business Management in Year 11, then took two first year university business studies subjects online with ACU this year. She’s still aiming for qualifications and a career in this area.
However, the human-powered energy vehicle program, which was not offered at BSE while she was there, is now her favourite subject that also including a mentoring role with Year 11 students.
Formally referred to as Design & Technology Competition Vehicles, this subject opened a world of unexpected opportunities for Brooke.
“It keeps you fit and you make really deep connections with the other people on your team. Daryl gives so much time us and I enjoy it so much I think it’s possible I’ll continue to be part of community racing teams after I finish school.”
Brooke was also part of the BSSC Kakadu trip in 2025.
“Sam’s (Gibbs—Outdoor Ed teacher) spirit of enthusiasm was personally inspiring as he helped us to connect to the Culture and Country of the Top End.
“I met so many interesting people and saw such incredible scenes. No photo can do justice to how that place makes you feel. Every day seemed better than the day before!”
Although she came to BSSC with experience on SRC and the Student Executive at BSE, Brooke was surprised to be elected a Student Ambassador due to the sheer number of students at our college.
She has relished this role—although initially daunted leading the college at events such as the ANZAC ceremony and Graduation.
“Being part of the Principal Advisory Group has also allowed me to see how seriously and respectfully Kylie listens to our ideas and shares information. She really impresses me.
“Sometimes, when I’m doing a SAC in the James King Hall, I look up at my name on the list with other Student Ambassadors and feel truly appreciated by this college.”
Brooke really appreciates the strong bonds with teachers at BSSC and believes such relationships allow students to learn more effectively, especially when students let teachers know what they need.
“They all want me to succeed, and just turning up and trying means I’m halfway there.”
English has never been one of Brooke’s favourite subjects. She took full responsibility for this and elected to study English Essentials.
“You pretty much do the same curriculum as mainstream English and the ATAR is the same. But, because there’s always at least one extra teacher in the classroom, as soon as you have a question someone is there to help you.
“Being able to take a little more time, and get immediate help, has taken the pressure off.
Her study methods revolve around avoiding overwhelm and locking in time to think and process information fully.
“I take regular breaks and give myself treats when I complete something like a SAC. I also use cue cards, exam questions and review the PowerPoints teachers make available.
“I do put pressure on myself, but I’m learning to take things one at a time. When I do stress, being outside, especially riding my bike which doubles as training for competition vehicles, is always good.”
In the eighteen months Brooke has been at BSSC, she can see she’s changed in positive and reassuring ways.
“I’ve always believed things happen for a reason, and one big lesson has been accepting it’s okay not to have everything locked in. I’d previously had this five-year plan in my head and I’ve learnt being open is one of the ways we grow.
“While there’s nothing I want to change about BSSC, I do think students need to feel okay about not being settled on a future plan.”
Brooke is aware there are challenges ahead.
“My generation won’t have the same opportunities our parents had. The data shows we won’t be buying a house before the age of 35, and it will be normal to have multiple jobs.
“We’re already having to work so hard to get things that should be basic milestones.
“I have friends working part-time whether it’s good for their VCE or not, because they won’t be able to afford to go to uni unless they have saved up for it.
“We’re supposed to have three healthy meals a day, regular exercise and plenty of sleep. That can be tricky enough, but when do we get time just for ourselves—time NOT on a tight schedule?
“I don’t want to compromise close relationships, so sometimes I say ‘no’ to an extra shift at work just to take the pressure down.”
Brooke says her parents remember this time of their lives as full of fun. They encourage her to take the time to recover when she’s tired or unwell. Still, she fears her generation will remember these years as full of worry about debt and the pressure they endured.
True-life stories are a great source of inspiration for Brooke as she reads about people who have gone through so much but still show up.”
Her concerns about the future are balanced by convictions that somehow things DO seem to work out. She’s found so many opportunities in her life, including those related to energy vehicles and her role as a Student Ambassador, have made her who she is and how she thinks about things.
If she could travel back through time, Brooke would tell herself that everything happens for a reason and it’s okay to have hard days.
“Take each day as it comes. Hold on to the people who love you and support you. Appreciate every little opportunity—they grow your maturity and some will take you far.”
She plans to put in the hard work to make sure she gives herself the best chance to reach her goals.
