This edition's Alumni focus is on a more recent graduate Finn Sparrow - who attended Sandringham College 2012 - 2017.

From MUSIC to PHYSICS

Finn Sparrow joined the College as a Year 7 student in 2012 hoping to pursue his interest in music and become a professional musician. Finn enjoyed his time at this ‘awesome school’ and commented on the ‘closeness’ of his year level highlighted by the fact that many of these students now see themselves as life-long friends. Participating in the Instrumental Music Program Finn was able to pursue this passion and develop his performance skills. He relished the many and varied opportunities provided, from the Great Vic Bike Ride, Ski Camps, World Challenge trip to Nepal and playing guitar in the band for College Productions.

Completing Year 12 in 2017, Finn was ready for the next chapter of his life planning on enrolling in a tertiary music course, however, this was not as straight forward as he had anticipated. Attending Interviews for a number of different courses Finn soon realised that a future in the music industry sounded great but how realistic was it, given the fierce competition for a place in these courses?

Finn has always been an independent young man who had enjoyed school - both the educational learning and social interactions. Instead of pursuing music he decided to become a teacher, ‘and now I get paid for doing what I love.’ He ignored cries of ‘don’t do it’ and ‘teachers are overworked and underpaid’ and instead pursued an interest developed in junior science with Barry Hoffman and Andrew Wilkinson - that of Physics.

Enrolling at Latrobe University, chosen because it specialises in … physics. Finn had to ‘get better at Maths’, it was ‘tough but rewarding’ and it has paid off as he is now teaching Year 12 Physics at Gisborne Secondary College and ‘loving it’.

His advice to the current Year 12 students is ‘to be open to exploring new things,’ ‘pursue what you’re good at’ and ‘enjoy the journey.’

Music is now Finn’s hobby and teaching is his career. His short-term plan is to revitalise the Physics Program at Gisborne with a long-term plan of teaching overseas - and he wouldn’t change it for anything!

His advice to the current Year 12 students is ‘to be open to exploring new things,’ ‘pursue what you’re good at’ and ‘enjoy the journey’ and don't be afraid to change your plans for the future!

THE CLASS OF 2023 - WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW?

In the newsletters for the rest of the year, we will provide you with updates of what our graduating class of 2023 are up to. I asked a group who are at university the following questions:

1. What course are you studying?

2. Where are you studying?

3. Is it easy to get to?

4. What are the subjects you are undertaking?

5. Favourite one? Why?

6. What is the best thing about university?

7. What career are you aiming for?

8. Anything else you would like to add?

Enjoy the read!

Olivia TODD-CHIDLEY

1. I’m in my first year of a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)

2. I study at Monash University, at the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Campus in Parkville

3. For me, it’s about a 1hr and 20 min commute each way, because the campus is located just past the city. However, I can choose to watch lectures live at home to make it easier! I take the train into the city and then a tram which stops right outside.

4. I have 3 units,

‘Professional Practice’, where we learn about the roles of a pharmacist in the healthcare system,
‘How Medicines Work’ which is physical chemistry, and
-How the Body Works’, which is a double unit involving biology concepts and physiology.

5. My favourite subject would have to be ‘How the Body Works’. Whilst it's extremely content heavy, I find it the most interesting to learn about.

6. The best thing about Uni is getting to expand your social networks and meet a range of different people with unique experiences from all over the world. Also feeling like you’re a step closer to your career and not worrying about having to ‘compete’ with anyone, like in Year 12.

7. At the moment, I’m not sure of the career I'm aiming for, but I can see myself working in hospital pharmacy or doing further study.

Monyvattana CHOR

1. I’m currently doing a Bachelor of Arts Degree

2. I am studying at Monash University, majoring in International Relations. The degree gives me quite a lot of freedom to choose what subjects I’m interested in and even encourages students to take on a variety of subjects from other university degrees before settling.

3. Uni is about 40 minutes away with public transport, so it’s quite easy for me to get to.

4. In this first semester, I’m studying international relations, international studies, criminology and sociology.

5. It’s been quite incredible being able to discuss topics that I have been interested in and fascinated by in more depth and with opportunities to hear other people’s perspectives and opinions on certain things, especially in terms of my international relations and international studies classes.

6. I’m lucky enough to fit all of my classes into 2 days since the uni is about 40 minutes away with public transport. After having to go to school every day, it’s also been one of the things I enjoyed most about uni.

7. Right now, I’m leaving the choices open for career options, but I would like it to be in the sphere of my major.

8. I’m fortunate in that I share two of my classes with another Sandy graduate, Mandeiya Green, and we do two of the subjects we shared in VCE – Sociology and Legal!!

Jordan DAVIES

1. I have been accepted into a Bachelor of Science Degree, in which I will be majoring in Psychology.

2. I will be doing this at Melbourne University.

3. I find it very easy to make my way to Melbourne when I have visited. As it’s right next to the CBD, it’s just a train and tram ride away!

4. I’m unsure what subjects exactly I’m studying but I know I would like to continue doing some biology, maths, psychology and possibly computer science.

I deferred from my course because I believed that after studying for many years I would benefit from a break as well as try something new through experiencing new environments around the world.

7. With my bachelor I’m hoping to progress into medicine where I could study psychiatry and ultimately become a neuropsychiatrist. But for now it is my first day in New Zealand at the moment and I will travel both the North and South Islands for a month before settling down in Queenstown for 2 months. After that I’ll be heading off to Europe starting in Madrid and travelling around to many different countries over another 3 months. I am still deciding where to go from there but at the moment it’s looking like I’ll take full advantage of my British passport and finish off the year/start the New Year off in Manchester!

Ruby GOWERS

1. I am studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations) - Medical Imaging

2. This course is at the Bundoora Campus of RMIT.

3. It takes about 1h 15mins for me to drive there from Sandringham (alternatively about 2hours 15min on public transport), but thankfully I can stay with my grandparents who live 20mins away from campus when I have classes.

4. The subjects I am undertaking are:

Medical Imaging 1
Physics for Medical Radiations 1
Introduction to Human Biosciences
Foundations of Professional Practice

5. My favourite subject is Medical Imaging 1 because it focuses on the practical skills in taking the scans, which I find more engaging than the theory-based subjects.

6. The best thing about Uni is having some control over your schedule and the free food on Wednesdays!

7. After finishing my degree in 3½ years I’ll be qualified as a diagnostic radiographer, which means I can take x-rays and CT scans. I hope to do this in a large public hospital when I graduate.

8. I nearly didn’t preference this course because I didn’t think I would get in. Don’t count yourself out :)

SIMON VAN MOOK

1. I am studying a Bachelor of Commerce.

2. I am studying at The University of Melbourne.

3. My campus is in Parkville, so it takes around an hour to get there with public transport.

4. Seven of the eight first year subjects are "core", meaning all students taking the same degree must take them. In my first semester, these subjects are:

Introductory microeconomics
Principles of finance
Quantitative methods 1
Sustainable commerce.

5. My favourite subject this semester has been Principles of Finance. It is quite a difficult class, with a lot of new ideas. However, I find the material taught in the class interesting and want to pursue it in the future.

6. My favourite thing about university is that the classes all relate to ideas I am interested in. I also like knowing that I'm finally working towards a degree that will hopefully get me a job in the future.

7. I'm unsure of exactly what career I would like, but hopefully somewhere in the scope of commerce because I'm really enjoying the course.

Mia HADDRICK

1. I am studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at Monash University!

2. My course is mainly located at the Monash Peninsula Campus in Frankston, however, once a week I go up to Monash Clayton for my anatomy classes. I also have a day online which means that I get to do Uni from home.

3. Getting to the Peninsula campus is very easy for me. I am easily able to catch a train on the Frankston line and once I get into Frankston, Monash offers a free shuttle bus service that takes me directly to and from the university campus. Getting to Clayton every week is more difficult because I have to take two trains and a bus. Both trips normally take me about 30-40 minutes each so I am very lucky I don’t have to travel for too long!

4. The Bachelor of Physiotherapy is quite different to other degrees. For most degrees you get a choice over what units and subjects you are studying. However, for physio, I am enrolled in one unit which means all of my subjects and timetables are chosen for me. Within my unit I have:

a clinical skills class where we practice all of the physio treatments and techniques.
I have a class called CBL (case-based learning) where we are given stimulus and have to determine what is a patient’s problem is and how we would treat it.
anatomy and physiology classes
a subject on professionalism and one on research.
I also have one class with the OT students called IPE (inter-professional education) where we learn about the determinants of health.

5. My favourite subject is probably anatomy. I love learning about the human body and think that it is so fascinating to put the theory into real life. After learning about the human body, I also understand a lot more of the medical terminology in Greys Anatomy!

6. I really like the independence of University, I get to choose when I do a lot of my learning and lectures and there is no one chasing me to do my homework, so I am fully responsible. I have also enjoyed meeting new people from lots of different cultures and parts of the world. Additionally, I love that I can get GYG for lunch on a Wednesday!

7. Originally, I had hoped that physio would be a pathway into postgraduate medicine. However, after learning about the career and all of the different pathways it can take me, I think I may have changed my mind. I am really enjoying the course and think that I would really love working as a physiotherapist. Regardless of what pathway I choose I would love to work in the paediatrics field.

8. One piece of advice I would give to current students is to enjoy your time at high school. I think that it is very important to make the most of all of the opportunities that you are given but also to remember that ATARs are not the be all and end all. After you finish school no one will ask you what your ATAR is and there are plenty of different pathways to achieve your goals - so don’t stress too much. Being someone that was constantly stressed about my ATAR and the study scores I would achieve; I can honestly say that there is more to life after high school and the stress honestly isn’t worth it. Good luck everyone!

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