Year 12 student, Ed Wilkinson, made the decision to transfer to senior when one of his significant mentors—and a BSSC alum—said to him, “If you’re really serious about VCE, you should go to BSSC”.
While understandably apprehensive about changing from a familiar setting, there were others from his previous school making the change too.
Ed found his ‘tribe’ in the first week and now describes them as a “solid, fantastic group”. The process was helped along by contacts through sport introducing him to their BSSC friends too.
He quickly discovered the opportunities offered by his new school. Ed uses the word ‘inspiring’ to describe his experience of senior.
“For a start, the subject choice is insane! Selecting my subjects was actually a big challenge, and it’s great not having a uniform here.”
Ed discovered that being able to interact with so many different people from all walks of life has been great preparation for the real world.
“There’s also the Ambassador Program, opportunities to attend National Youth Science Forum, ‘bootcamps’ in many subjects—and I recently met the Federal Attorney General when he spoke to students at the college.”
Although Ed hadn’t been involved with student leadership during Year 11, he took a friend’s advice and went along to the first meeting of the 2024 Student Ambassador Program.
“I was so impressed and wasn’t confident I would be selected, but when I look back at what the Ambassadors have been able to achieve—despite our study demands—it’s been really rewarding.
“The Ambassador Program has improved my leadership skills and made me feel more equipped for the future.”
Like many students, Ed loves the sense there is no hierarchy at BSSC and names his teachers and the learning environment as his favourite aspects of the college.
“I’ve loved being on first-name basis with teachers—those relationships are close but respectful.”
While Ed keeps in contact with his Japanese teacher from his previous college, describing her as “inspiring”, he names Sam Gibbs (“So relatable with a perfect mix of fun and work”) and Sarah Nagle (“Great subject and great teacher”) as two stand-out teachers he’s had at BSSC.
“The independence and trust the teachers place in us here has developed my accountability—both toward my studies and my other commitments.
“The study periods have taught me to take responsibility for my schoolwork and I’ve learnt how to effectively set my own agenda—I love that.”
When he sits down to study, Ed says he uses old exams and SAC questions and focuses on mistakes so he can work out where extra effort is needed.
All up, Ed says he “definitely recommends this college”.
This year he’s studying Maths Methods, General Maths, Chemistry and English.
Last year he took two 3/4 subjects, PE and Outdoor Education, and says having these out of the way set him up for Year 12.
“Although I loved the ‘outdoor’ aspect of Outdoor Ed—especially the magnificent Wilson’s Promontory—I have to admit the ‘education’ side of it didn’t really appeal.”
He also admits to being quite ambivalent towards Maths during Years 7-10. He saw the value of it, but didn’t really enjoy it.
Still, he was very disappointed when, early in Year 11, he tanked his first Maths SAC.
“Then I tanked the second one and was tempted to drop Maths altogether.”
Ed spoke to his sister about it, but says she wasn’t too much help, having achieved 100% on the same SAC two years earlier.
“The reason I kept going?
“My teacher, Jane, reassured me I could improve, and I knew I wasn’t exactly knocking myself out studying Maths either.
“I accepted the challenge to lock in and make it my number one priority,” Ed remembers. “Maths is now a favourite and it’s so satisfying to truly ‘get it’.”
Ed is rightly proud of the way he handled this challenge, and how he has approached Year 12 generally—he’s feeling well-prepared to study Science at Melbourne Uni next year.
Physio is one of the careers he’s considering, but doesn’t want to limit his pathway too early into his tertiary studies.
Meanwhile, Ed has never lost sight of the importance of a balanced life.
He finds exercise a major de-stressor and plays soccer for La Trobe Uni. In fact, he finds anything that involves getting outside is brilliant for him.
‘Brain-breaks’ with friends—watching sport on TV or just hanging out together—and a part-time job add to keeping life in balance.
“I look after myself and get nine hours sleep each night too. I pace myself so I don’t burn out and take time out when I’m sick. I’m really happy with where I’m sitting with my studies at the moment.”
Ed’s close-knit family have been a major support and source of inspiration for him.
“My parents really impress me. Mum has a very intense job, but she always has time to talk with us and Dad is really kind and caring.
“Dad’s like a sustained caretaker—he’s a great cook and has been to all my soccer games. I really enjoy hearing the stories he tells me about his travels or things he used to do back in the day.”
Reflecting on when he was younger, Ed wishes he’s been in possession of the great advice his sister recently gave him:
“Your future’s always bigger than your past. Don’t dwell on the past. Keep your focus on the future.”
