Josh is a Year 12 student at BSSC and says the word ‘independent’ comes to mind when he thinks about the college.
“The independence you have at this school is unparalleled—I think it creates a welcome feeling and allows you to do your best work.”
Unsurprisingly, Josh often recommends BSSC to others.
He has also discovered what a difference the teaching approach at BSSC has made to the inevitable pressure VCE brings.
For example, at the beginning of Year 11 he was quite surprised when teacher after teacher said they would do everything they could to support him to do his best.
“It was profoundly encouraging,” Josh remembers.
“I hadn’t found this at other schools, and it gave me the confidence to take on subjects traditionally considered ‘hard’. It only took me a few weeks to realise ‘I can do this’.”
This year Josh is studying Maths Methods, Specialist Maths, Physics, VET Music, and English.
“I’m one of those people who can happily sit down and do hours of homework in one go—especially if it’s maths. But what’s due next is always my priority.”
At the start of Year 11 Josh was impressed to realise he didn’t have to win some ballot to join the BSSC Student Leadership Team.
He grabbed the opportunity to get more involved with his new college and connect with other students who shared his interest in leadership.
“I’ve always really enjoyed leadership and was on the Communications Committee last year.”
This year Josh is one of eight BSSC Student Ambassadors and relishing involvement in important college events such as being MC at the Anzac Day service.
“Being an Ambassador feels like a much more sophisticated role and I love how we are considered equal leaders.”
He was a major organiser for BSSC staff and students recently involved in the ‘Push-Up Challenge’.
This challenge is a fundraiser for mental health services in Australia and allows participants to personally experience the connection between exercise and good mental health.
Given the relentlessness of VCE pressures and his commitment to contributing what he can to the college, it’s inevitable Josh needs good strategies to keep stress at bay.
“I destress by being in nature—and especially love the Grampians (Gariwerd National Park) or the incredible experience of staring into a clear starry sky.
“Day-to-day, it’s music that helps me relax.”
During Covid, Josh gradually developed an even more profound connection to music and says it has become like a friend who’s always available.
He has been learning guitar since Grade Two and, like many musicians, he’s been through times of reluctance to practice and is pleased his parents didn’t cave in and let him give up.
Music is now an incredibly important part of his life and he enjoys a wide range of styles—and is even writing some original pieces.
Despite his study load—or perhaps to help with it—Josh has picked up singing lessons and is teaching himself piano.
He’s also part of a band that participated in senior’s recent outrageously successful ‘BSSC’s Got Talent’ show.
“Long-term I want to make a name for myself as an innovative musician. I don’t want to just play what others have written, or only follow familiar and well-established genres.
“My current plan is to study Mechanical Engineering at Swinburne so I have an established career I can rely on to support my music,” he says. “But, one day I hope to quit my ‘normal’ job and invest myself fully in music.”
Some of his other interests—such as playing tennis, cricket and table tennis —have taken a backseat as he focuses on his studies.
He did make one concession: he was glued to the TV watching Australia’s Socceroos and Matildas at the Paris Olympics.
Josh says his dad is someone who impresses him.
“He’s clever, but patient and calm. I look up to him for his selfless morals and he’s set me a great example: he doesn’t let fear of making mistakes stop him from having a go.”
While you would expect Josh to admire his girlfriend, he knows he’s a lucky man to be going out with his best friend and someone he knows he can trust 100%.
Josh’s life may sound terribly fortunate—and he is acutely aware of his privilege—but life has had some really serious struggles and now, with maturity, Josh looks back across a landscape pockmarked with huge challenges and some serious suffering.
“I was given a devastating prognosis as a baby and my mother just stepped up and became determined that I would live, and be as strong and healthy as possible.
“I’m actually grateful for what I have learnt from my suffering. It’s made me appreciate what I have and the wonderful people around me.”
Josh has expended a lot of determined energy to move past what seemed initially to be insurmountable hurdles. He sometimes wonders how on earth he got from there to here!
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come—not only with my health and personal stuff, but also how I have matured at BSSC. Doing well at school has really built my confidence.
“I think if people had met Year 10 me, they wouldn’t recognise me now.”
Moving schools was an important step, and around the same time Josh began to be more open about his personal challenges.
If he could go back and give his twelve-year-old self some advice, Josh would tell himself not to push people away when they try to help.
“Even if they have let you down sometimes, they actually want the best for you.”
