Alumni News

At our recent Aspiration Day, we were extremely fortunate to have Sarah McDougal from our Class of 2018, present her extraordinary journey to our Year 12 cohort. Her story is one of perseverance, resilience and the power of seeking support and opportunities in the face of adversity. Our students were captivated by Sarah’s story and we are certain that each and every one of them took away something meaningful from Sarah’s experiences.

This is Sarah’s story…..

Growing up, life was anything but easy. Raised by a single mother in a housing commission area, I experienced instability, domestic violence and substance abuse. My home life was chaotic, filled with DHS appointments and court dates. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much my life has changed.

School became my escape. I enjoyed school and threw myself into extracurriculars like the SLC (Student Leadership Committee) and Chess Club - anything to stay at school longer, because home didn’t feel safe. I carried a deep sense of embarrassment about my circumstances. I never confided in my friends about my struggles, I didn’t want anyone to see where I lived or know about the realities of my home life.

It wasn’t until our Sub-School leader, Mrs. Duggan, noticed that something was wrong that I began to open up. At first, I was defensive, I didn’t want help. I was paying my own bills and thought I could handle everything alone. Mrs Duggan persisted, checking in on me, asking about court dates and whether I had a safe place to sleep. That support made me realise that talking about my hardships wasn’t a weakness, it was a step toward getting help. Slowly, I started confiding in more teachers, learning the power of networking and seeking guidance.

At 15, I worked multiple jobs just to keep a roof over my head. One of my first jobs paid only $9 an hour, but I built connections there that would change my life. One of my regular customers at this job is one of my current bosses. A chance conversation during a school excursion led to a Rotary Club scholarship, allowing me to study at Melbourne University for three weeks during the summer. Opportunities came because I started sharing my story and talking to people. My main advice to the Year 12 cohort is to talk to people as much as you can; talk to your teachers, they are there to help. Mrs Duggan helped me more times than I can count, not just whilst I was at school, but also in the years following.

When Year 12 came around, I had no clear goals. The rent wasn’t being paid based on my SAC results. Exams didn’t determine whether or not I had food on the table. From a young age I had to realise that although doing well in school and getting those marks was great, I still had to prioritise making a living and working for my family. My ATAR results were quite average, but I had a drive to succeed. I wanted to be a lawyer, but my ATAR score wasn’t high enough and at the time, I was only offered a business degree. I spoke to the Careers Counsellor at University who suggested taking law-related units in my Business course and using these units to transfer into the course that I wanted. Six months later, I successfully transferred into a double degree in Commerce and Law, with half the ATAR mark that was necessary for that degree when I left Pakenham Secondary College.

Life, however, had more challenges in store. While on a study tour overseas, my father passed away. Losing a parent is devastating, but when you come from a background without financial security, it’s even harder. Funerals and related expenses add an enormous burden. Again, Mrs. Duggan was there, helping me navigate this tough time. Despite working multiple jobs and studying law, the weight of everything took a toll. Eventually, I had to reevaluate what I truly wanted in life.

At 19, life took an unexpected turn when I was selected for Big Brother Australia. Out of 56,000 applicants, I made it into the house and finished in fourth place. While I didn’t win, the experience changed me. Conversations with housemates helped me realise I had been chasing a law degree to prove something to other people, that I was smart enough, not because it made me happy. It forced me to rethink my future. 

After the show, I explored new paths and discovered a passion for marketing and public relations. I withdrew from my law degree and pursued public relations. Now, I run my own digital marketing agency, working with local businesses. I have travelled to Europe twice and all through Asia, something that once seemed impossible.

Looking back, I see how much my journey was shaped by taking risks, networking and stepping outside my comfort zone. If there’s one piece of advice I can give to current students, it’s this: talk to people, seek opportunities, and surround yourself with those who inspire you. The five people you spend the most time with will influence your future, choose them wisely. If your current path isn’t working, find another way. Life doesn’t always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create the life you truly want.

Sarah McDougal

Class of 2018