Year 12 student reflections

Highlights of my time at the Studio School have been graduating and going to Melbourne and the Kimberley to study.  The most challenging experience was being away from home and the hard work it took being there. I’m hoping to get my drivers licence and a job next year. Thank you to all the staff for helping me through my journey at school.

Shakaya Warrie (OW2020)

Almost everything during my time at the Studio School has been a highlight for me, especially living with friends at the LiR. My biggest challenge was waking up in the morning, that was a difficult thing for me to do. I plan on taking some time off and then exploring work options in my community. I’d like to thank everyone, teachers and mentors for their support. Kids should come to Yiramalay and try and do their best while they’re here.  

Kelsey Moody (OW2020)

During my time at Yiramalay the highlights for me were going on  Induction with Tegan and meeting Indigenous artists Mervyn Street. Coping with the loss of my Dad and being far away from Port Hedland, which is my home, were challenges for me. In the future I would like to find an educational pathway to study at University in Geelong. Thank you to all the staff and mentors for everything they have done to support me along the way, also Toby and Marte, thanks for the pickups.  

I’d like to encourage everyone to get an education and stay at school to achieve your goals and follow your dreams.

Tenisha Badal (OW2020)

My highlights at Yiramalay include finishing Year 12 with my  Certificate II completed and spending time in Melbourne. The biggest challenge was going back and finishing Year 12 as I had some terms not at school because of COVID. In the future I would like to attempt a mechanical apprenticeship outside the Kimberley.  

Thank you, Matt, for everything, I am proud to have finished this year.

Corey Brooking (OW2020)

Going to Derby to play basketball with boys and making spears with Elizah and Corry were the highlights for me this year and the most difficult was the First Aid Course I had to do as part of my Certificate II. I hope to get a job next year to support myself and my family. I would like to thank everyone that was beside me, never letting me down in Yiramalay.  

I hope to see everyone some time in the future – I am going to miss being at Yiramalay.

Memphis Hunter (OW2020)

Going to Melbourne for the first time and spending a whole year there and watching the Year 12s graduate in Melbourne last year when I was in Year 11, were my highlights at Yiramalay. It was a challenge doing advanced studies in Melbourne and being the only Indigenous student in the class. I was nervous and didn’t feel like I belonged there, although it helped having Hannah there. Next year I’m hoping to do nursing in an Indigenous community, and I have applied to do further study with Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS).  

I would like to thank Hannah for supporting me in all my classes and pushing me when it was really challenging.  

Kyhona Yakai (OW2020)

Being in Melbourne and the LiR, playing pool and games were the highlights for me at Yiramalay, the most challenging thing I did while I was there was Induction. Next year I hope to try and get an apprentship to become a mechanic. Thank you to Brent, Ryan and Sean Cox for their help during my time here.  It was good being in Yiramalay, I had a lot of fun.

Geronomo Gurruwiwi (OW2020)