What has been your favourite memory of senior year?
Alice: Formal was definitely the highlight of the year. It was so good to see everyone dressed up, dancing and having fun.
Tom: Some of my favourite memories have been getting to know boys at school that I never would’ve otherwise connected with, whether it be watching the junior theatresports team or joining cross country for the first time.
Dorothy: My favourite memory of senior year was probably practicing with my vocal quartet in between Maths exams. We had two exams on the same day, and instead of studying, we spent the break period singing and playing the piano in our school’s Main Building. It was such a relaxing atmosphere.
Lachlan: One thing I’ve loved this year is how our grade cohort has come together as we near the end of school.
Mina: My favourite memory of senior year would probably be our year 12 retreat, up in the Sunshine Coast. It was a great opportunity to have fun as a cohort one last time, away from the school environment.
Amelie: For me, it was discovering the true meaning of connection and friendship. I realised it is so important that we surround ourselves with people who make us laugh, offer unwavering support, and stick by us—especially during a year filled with stress and limited free time.
Ragesh: My favourite memory from my senior years was the year level camp we went on last year. The camp had its challenges but being in a group with unfamiliar faces made the experience so much more worthwhile and memorable, and allowed me to create some unforgettable and unbreakable bonds with others.
Dimity: Just sitting in the senior’s room with everyone at lunch is something that I know we will all miss so much when we graduate.
Lily: My favourite memory of senior year was participating in the Ponytail Project event. I found it rewarding to take part in something tangible and impactful, supporting a meaningful cause alongside my peers. The unity and spirit of the event made it truly unforgettable.
What do you like to do when you’re not studying?
Alice: I work at Coles and play soccer for school and a club team. These activities are good breaks from the stresses of year 12.
Tom: When I’m not studying, I enjoy playing sport, whether it be rowing, soccer or just passing the footy with my brother. I love getting into the outdoors and having time to disconnect from the stress and pressures of school.
Dorothy: Currently, I’m balancing study for externals with crocheting flowers—my school has a tradition of giving flowers to your friends on the last day of school!
Mina: I try to make the most of my spare time by either going to the gym or just visiting scenic places like waterfalls or beaches with friends.
Amelie: I like to get involved with all things creative. I have a passion for music, and I have found that learning an instrument is not only satisfying, but good for the brain. Otherwise, I love to watch movies, since I’m a real cinephile, paint or indulge in any form of art, and most importantly, spend time with my family.
Ragesh: In my spare time, I like to call and talk with friends, play some games with them and occasionally make plans to hang out. …We don’t know where we’ll all end up, so we want to make sure we enjoy our last year of high school and make some cherished memories.
Dimity: If I’m not dancing or in some sort of choir or orchestra rehearsal, I have started to teach myself guitar which helps to take my mind off studying for a bit.
Lily: When I’m not studying, I enjoy spending time outdoors playing sports with friends. It’s a great way to stay active, have fun, and relax.
What do you think are the challenges your generation is facing?
Alice: A huge issue in this generation is comparing yourself to other people on social media. Especially when most people only post their highlights.
Tom: The inability to disconnect due to the omnipresent nature of social media and the internet are a cause for mental angst within my generation. I also think we are going to face a lot of financial struggles in terms of being able to afford things like housing in Australia’s current economy.
Dorothy: One challenge I’ve seen lots of my peers (including me) struggle with is maintaining friendships outside of school. Especially with so much time spent on study, co-curriculum, and leadership responsibilities, it’s really difficult to find time to catch up with people who we don’t see every day at school… which perhaps reduces the scope of our support systems and social groups.
Lachlan: I think a challenge my generation, me included, faces is social media overload. We sit around watching 30-second clips of others doing or making amazing things, feeling like we’ve achieved less. Sometimes we just need to learn that it’s okay not to be great at something, and that, in the words of Maya Angelou, “you can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”
Mina: One would be the mental health issues that stem from our heavy social media use, and another common challenge faced amongst our generation is dealing with academic pressure and the stress of not knowing what the future holds as we’re transitioning into adulthood.
Amelie: Mental health is a major challenge for our generation, influenced by constant social media exposure, academic pressures, and the uncertainty of the future. Within our age group, social media pressures us to be perfect and makes us hyper-aware of judgement. The stigma around mental health can make it hard to seek help, leaving many feeling isolated. It’s crucial to prioritise mental well-being and to build supportive communities to navigate these challenges.
Ragesh: I think one of the main challenges my generation is self-doubt and the fear of judgment from others, especially when stepping into leadership roles or pursuing personal goals. It’s easy to second-guess your abilities when you’re constantly comparing yourself to others or worrying about how you’re perceived. It’s important to recognize that no one is free from criticism. Whether you’re making bold moves or staying quiet, there will always be opinions. The key is to focus on your own growth and integrity and build resilience whilst also having trust in your own journey, even when doubts arise.
Dimity: Short form video content like TikTok and Instagram is becoming so addictive and consuming for so many in my generation. There is so much more we could be doing with our lives!
Lily: One of the biggest challenges my generation faces is the overwhelming range of career options. With so many diverse and unknown pathways, it can feel daunting to narrow down our passions and make informed decisions about our futures. While the abundance of choices is a privilege, it also makes finding clarity a bit more difficult.
What is one piece of advice you would give to younger students?
Alice: Don’t get stuck on the little things such as bad results in school or sport. Think about the bigger picture!
Tom: I would advise younger students to get involved in as much as they can at school, as you get towards the end of your school journey, the things you seem to regret the most are the opportunities that you didn’t put yourself forwards for.
Dorothy: My biggest piece of advice would be to trust your learning and experience. It’s tempting to cram study before exams, or to over-edit your assignments—but I think it’s also important to have faith in your own abilities.
Lachlan: My advice to younger students: learn someone’s name you don’t usually talk to and say hi – it goes a long way.
Mina: Make as many memories as you can with your friends because time really flies by fast.
Amelie: Embrace your curiosity and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Whether in class or about life in general, asking questions leads to deeper understanding and personal growth. It’s also a great way to connect with teachers and peers – the one thing that is guaranteed to make life easier is building connections with good people.
Ragesh: One piece of advice I would give to younger students is to embrace failure as part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to try new things, take risks, or step outside your comfort zone, even if it means stumbling along the way. Each setback is an opportunity to learn, improve, and become more resilient.
Dimity:Do what you are passionate about. If you love something, put everything you’ve got into it and don’t let anyone stop you.
Lily: Take every opportunity that comes your way at school. It’s the perfect time to explore your interests, hobbies, and passions. You won’t know what resonates with you until you try new things, so be open to new experiences and take risks in a supportive environment.
What are your plans for next year?
Alice: I plan to continue working at Coles and go to university to study interior design. I also hope to travel a little bit.
Tom: Next year I am (hopefully) going to study engineering at UQ. I am looking forward to having a bit more freedom and being able to explore different career paths that appeal to me.
Dorothy: I will be attending university, hopefully studying a Bachelor of Advanced Humanities at UQ, majoring in Music and English Literature (ATAR willing!), while coaching and adjudicating debate teams. My long-term goal is to become a high school teacher.
Lachlan: In terms of next year, I’m planning on studying Business and Creative Arts at QUT, majoring in Film and Screen.
Mina: I plan on going to UQ to study a pre-med course and work a part-time job on the side.
Amelie: I plan to begin university studies with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in French and Creative Writing. Before then, I want to work as much as I can to put towards my future endeavours like my education, travel, and eventually buying my own home. Overall, I hope to use the next year to spend more time with people who are important to me, to relax, and to find a healthy balance in my life.
Ragesh: My plan for next year is going to University and doing a course in Engineering. I’m excited for the challenges it will bring and I cannot wait to make some new and long-lasting friendships.
Dimity: Hopefully I will be completing a Bachelor of Engineering part time and dancing classical ballet pre-professionally.
Lily: Next year, I plan to study a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Advanced Studies at the University of Sydney.
What is one thing you have on your bucket list for life?
Alice: Live at the beach once I finish Uni and hopefully travel to Europe with my friends in the next few years.
Tom: My current dream with an engineering degree is to be able to go and work in F1. I would love to be able to travel the world and work in a competitive team environment while doing so.
Dorothy: I’ve recently become very into Shakespeare! One day, I’d really like to be a part of a community theatre production of a Shakespeare play, or teach one of my favourite plays when I become a teacher.
Lachlan: I’ve always dreamt of making and performing in movies or on stage. I find it’s through creating art that we are able to play, reflect and grow.
Mina: To start my own dermatology practice and to travel to as many places as possible.
Amelie: Since I was about five years old, my number one goal has been to become fluent in French. After studying since Year 7, I’ve made significant progress. After graduation, my family is taking me to France for a few weeks… I can’t wait to improve my language skills while I’m there.
Ragesh: Travel the world and visit the 7 wonders of the world. I love to travel and explore places I have not been to before and doing this with friends and family is the ultimate dream.
Dimity: It is my dream to solo travel Europe with a travel tour group.
Lily: One of my major goals is to travel. I’d love to work a ski season in the U.S., visit South Africa, and live and work in London for a period after finishing university.
