Breaksea House News

Future Pathways and Choices

Before you know it, your time at school will have come to an end. A shout-out to the Year Twelve group!

After the celebrating dies down, the question of “what now?” raises its head. Whether you are an ATAR or General student, you are about to enter the world outside of school. As a mother of two boys in their first year out, I have to say it has been quite an eye-opener for me.

Many students find themselves overcome with the burden of choice, because there are just so many options available to them. Parents and students, do not panic. Having so many options is actually a good thing, because each of them can be considered a pathway to get you wherever it is you want to go.

Last weekend, I tagged along on the University Trip and I was impressed with by the diversity of pathways to universities that are out there. This Thursday, we will take the Year Twelve Boarders to the UWA Albany Campus Open day, followed by a delicious dinner at Due South, as a further opportunity for the students to educate themselves on what is on offer.

These choices are not limited to just Year Twelve students as the Year Ten cohort are making subject choices and pathway choices, too. The Year Eleven group are looking forward to next year as the new leaders of the student body and school. They all have something to learn and something to ask, so I do encourage both parents and students to take up every opportunity the school and boarding offer to answer some of their questions.

If your daughter is set on going to university, it’s important they consider what it actually involves and whether or not it's right for them. Uni classes aren't like regular classes. They'll have to hold themselves accountable for getting assignments in on time and, if they need assistance, they'll have to be proactive and seek it out themselves. For some, the independence and the freedom of not having teachers on their back will be a dream come true.

Gap years have plenty of benefits. They get you out of the study bubble and help you gain some life experience, either by leaving home to see the world, or by putting others first through volunteering. Working helps you save money, if you want to move out before studying, or pay off your travel without having to ask parents. Even the option of chilling out helps you reboot if you're burnt out from study, and gives you the time and mental breathing space to think about what it is you want to do with your life. In all these scenarios, the hours can be pretty flexible. Caroline and Felicity (2018 graduating boarders) have loved their gap year as Gap Assistants in Oxford, England. Claire Bradshaw has had an amazing experience as an Au Pair in Italy.

University isn't for everyone. The good news is that there are plenty of learning opportunities outside of university for students to consider. Vocational Education and Training (VET) covers the different pathways that can help you get skilled up for a range of industries and careers, without university. As with university, you'll get to work with experts who've been professionally practising in the real world. In fact, with apprenticeships, you'll get on-the-job training alongside those practising professionals. You'll also get to earn while you learn, taking home a payday for your study. Certificates and diplomas usually take between one to three years, meaning you can enter the workforce sooner, if that's what you're hoping to do.

So, my advice as your daughter’s House Parent and a mother of two boys in their first year out, is to educate yourselves and your daughters. Choice is easier if you know about the ins and outs of your choices. I think it is very exciting, but I am aware there are a few students that are quite concerned about what to do next and what subjects are the right ones. Speak to their Heads of House and Homeroom teachers, and ask other graduates in your community. As always, feel free to have a chat with us.

Mrs Angela Ferreira | Head of Breaksea House

University Tour

A few weekends ago, a group of Senior School students went to Perth on the University Tour. We left after school on Friday and began what was going to be an eventful weekend, with plenty of information to take in.

On Saturday morning, we were delighted to have a buffet breakfast which everyone was very excited about and we piled the food onto our plates ready for a big day. We first went to Trinity College, one of five colleges located at UWA, where we were shown around the college facilities by students there. It was interesting to liken it to the boarding house in the way that there is a communal dining area, some shared bathrooms and the development of close-knit friendships.

We were then taken over to UWA and shown around the campus. We got back in the bus and went to Carousel shopping centre for what was an hour of rushing around trying to visit as many shops as we could before our next university visit to Curtin University. When we arrived at Curtin we were taken to a classroom where student ambassadors talked to us about life at Curtin, and their experiences. Then we did a campus trek, which involved us all being split into groups and paired with one of the student ambassadors. Our challenge was to trek around the campus, finding the various locations listed on a sheet of paper and taking creative team photos in front of them. This was an extremely good way to see the campus and all the different parts of it. Lastly, it was off to Fremantle for dinner and a movie before we headed back to hotel for the night.

Sunday saw us pack our bags into the bus and head to ECU for their Open Day. We all split up[and went to see the areas of the university which suited our plans for the future. Whilst some went to look at WAPPA and watch dance and music performances, others wandered through the library, lecture rooms, and labs. The uni was a hive of activity, which meant there were lots of people around to help us figure out where everything was.

Next, we headed to Notre Dame’s Open Day. The University of Notre Dame is a unique university because instead of a set campus, it's actually several buildings nestled into the busy streets of Fremantle. We had paella for lunch and once again all split off to find our different areas of interest. Once the clock hit 3.30pm, it was time to pile back onto the bus for the long trip back to school.

We returned home heavy with complementary university bags, notepads, pens and plenty of different degree handbooks to ponder over and consider. I highly recommend the trip to anyone who is planning on going to university. I learnt a lot about what each of the different universities offer and, with this knowledge, I know that I now have one less thing to stress about during Year Twelve next year.

Jessica Dolan | Year Eleven

From the Head Girl

When Mrs Franklin first approached Sam and I about spending a week in boarding, I remember thinking “great!” and began negotiating arrangements for the week.

Shakespeare said, “expectation is the root of all heartache” and so I decided to enter the week with a positive attitude, free from any expectations. My first day in boarding was disorientating, however, the girls in Breaksea House were very welcoming and I soon found my way around. It took me almost the whole week to adjust to the routines. I slept in the first morning without the aid of my alarm and missed a few meals due to my inability to arrive anywhere on time.

Once I got settled in, I really started to enjoy being a boarder. I got so much study done, got to know the loveliest people, didn’t have to do dishes or cook dinner and I arrived to Homeroom before the second bell (for the first day, at least). Caris and I broke Colin’s reign as the Just Dance champion, and Amberley and I finished a whole packet of prawn crackers whilst discussing at what stage in your life you decide that the only way you will find love is to go on The Bachelor.

I truly loved getting to know everyone in the boarding community and am extremely appreciative of all the girls who welcomed me into their home. An enormous thank you goes out to the catering staff. The food in boarding was seriously delicious. And a big thank you goes to Mrs Ferreira who helped explain the rules to me and showed me the ropes of signing in and out of the house. Spending a week in boarding wasn’t like a big sleepover, but it wasn’t like prison, either. I really enjoyed my time in Breaksea House.

Bridget Mason | Head Girl