FOR Gloucester High School’s Year 12 students, the final weeks of school are about more than study, exams and the countdown to the HSC.
They mark the end of years spent growing up alongside friends, teachers and a community where, as Nick Maggs puts it, “you know everyone”.
When Nick, Albie Cameron, Kymani Tarr and Sophie Lenehan sat down with NOTA to reflect on their school years, similar themes emerged – friendship, opportunity and the value of being known in a small school.
Kymani joined Gloucester High in Year 10 after moving from Western Sydney and said sport helped her find her place here.
“I think because the school had so many sports running at the time, that helped me integrate,” the netball and rugby player said.
“Everyone was really nice. It was easy to settle in here.”
For Sophie, being part of a small school has meant students receive individual attention.
“In a small community, you’re not just a number,” she said.
“You might be in a class with three kids, so the teacher is putting everything they can into you because they genuinely care how you do.”
Asked what advice they would give their 12-year-old selves, Sophie said to give everything your best shot and “don’t let yourself wish you’d done more”.
Kymani would tell herself to worry less and enjoy the experience.
“Obviously, try to do your work, but appreciate the friendships you have.”
Nick’s advice was similarly simple: “Enjoy school with your friends. You won’t get the opportunity to spend this much time with them once you leave.”
Albie added that the work was important too.
“All the effort you put in is worth it at the end of the day,” he said.
All four are now preparing to leave Gloucester for further study.
Albie has unconditional early entry to study rural science at the University of New England and hopes to pursue a career in agronomy and perhaps eventually bring those skills back to Gloucester.
Nick has conditional early entry at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga, with agronomy and animal nutrition among the careers he’s considering.
Kymani has received early entry into chiropractic science at Macquarie University, while Sophie plans to study speech and hearing sciences there, to become a speech pathologist specialising in working with children.
All four say they will miss Gloucester’s close-knit community.
“Everyone’s really close,” Kymani said.
“It’s nice that everyone has each other’s backs.”
Sophie summed up her feelings about Gloucester High simply.
“Don’t let its size define its quality,” she said.
“I would never wish that I went to any other school.”
By Sonja DUNCAN
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
