BSSC Year 12 student, Charlotte Wigney, aspires to one day manage her own farm.
Charlotte’s farming practices are likely to line up with the regenerative farming movement—something becoming more widely adopted across Australia.
Regenerative farming prioritises working with ecosystems to get the best outcomes for everyone—including the landscape and climate.
“Compared to Australia’s common monoculture approach to farming, regenerative is definitely the future of farming as sustainability moves to the forefront of approaches to agriculture.”
Meanwhile, Charlotte has had a tiny taste of the responsibilities and challenges of animal management as she’s raised an orphan cow, and sheep, on her family’s property.
The plan is to begin a four-year Bachelor of Agricultural Science course at Charles Sturt University next year—she recently attended their Open Day and applied for early entry.
“I’m so looking forward to the next four years and where it will take me—I’m looking forward to the complexities and demands of modern farming and the endless options for someone with the qualifications I will have.”
Charlotte was rather shocked by this attitude and says, “I don’t think they’re aware of the complexity and demands of modern farming, or the vast options for someone with the qualifications I will have.
“If I could go back and give my twelve-year-old self some advice I’d say, ‘Realise you’ll meet people who are negative. Stay grounded and true to yourself and remember that opposing views do not define you’.”
Long term, Charlotte hopes to settle in Central Victoria—bringing ‘home’ the knowledge and experience she gains.
In contrast to her present clarity, eighteen months ago Charlotte was a new BSSC Year 11 student and recalls a sense of not being sure where, or how, she fitted in to her new college.
Connections with new friends who shared her interests, along with some subject changes, helped.
An unexpected game-changer occurred because she made the decision to join BSSC’s mid-year 2023 Kakadu trip—a life-changing trip.
“I was so happy the whole time. I made new friends, and connected strongly with the teachers, Sam and Kara—wonderful human beings—who were leading the trip.
“I had always appreciated the Australian landscape, but Kakadu and the First Nations People we met brought me a whole new appreciation of how rich and truly diverse this country is.
“While I can’t exactly pinpoint when or how it happened, I gained so much confidence while I was away and developed a new sense of being comfortable in my own skin.
“It was like seeing a bigger picture.”
‘Independence’ is the word Charlotte uses to describe what she sees as BSSC’s most important quality.
“It’s a school different to all others I’ve been to.”
Charlotte is studying English, General Maths, Psychology, Outdoor Education, and Design and Technology/Woods—a subject that builds on the woodwork classes she elected throughout her 7-10 college years.
“I love building stuff, so being able to tailor my course to suit my prerequisites as well as my interests, is something I’ve really appreciated.”
Charlotte is presently creating a Danish-inspired occasional chair from Victorian Ash.
“I also love the way Tim runs our woodwork classes. The only thing I’d like to change is the gender balance—it’s a very male-dominated subject, with only two other girls in the class.”
As a self-directed learner who sets high standards, works hard to maintain them, and actually enjoys studying most of the time, study periods are highly valued and using them effectively takes a lot of pressure off Charlottle’s homework load.
“At the college, I like to work alone at the top of C-Block wearing my noise-cancelling ear-pods.”
Her study methods include creating summary books for every subject and she says she’s much better at time management now she’s using a calendar app on her computer.
“I now see all that effort paying off.”
Charlotte highly recommends BSSC to others because of the wide range of subjects and the quality, helpfulness, and caring approach of the teachers.
“It was my 18th birthday recently and I had a SAC that day, so I’d paid almost no attention to my birthday. But all my teachers wished me a happy birthday.”
Asked if her love of learning means she doesn’t stress about school, Charlotte said, “I do stress, because I care a lot about my education.”
However, Charlotte has also discovered the value of having something to look forward to—events giving her rewarding breaks that keep life balanced.
Last year the mid-year Kakadu trip was one of these, this year she completed her Deb and—in a nod to all she loved about the Northern Territory—the whole family spent time in Central Australia during the last school holidays.
“Next, there’s my birthday, which I am going to celebrate with a small party—just family and friends.”
Charlotte is also one of BSSC’s Sports Leaders and played both footy and cricket for the college. Outside of school, she’s continued to play basketball for the Aztecs and has a part-time job.
Thinking about people she admires, Charlotte says those she knows well—her family—who have supported her and provided such good role models, are the people who impress her the most.
“I love how connected we are to each other and so grateful for all the opportunities and love I’ve been given—and that includes from my grandparents.
“My brothers and I all have such diverse interests and aspirations for our futures—and my parents have always set a great example by pursuing what they love, too.”
