The path for each of us has been markedly different, with one of us a Red Shoe girl and the other joining in Year 7, having attended two local public schools. At Queenwood, we had separate friend groups, excelled and failed in different subjects, and dedicated ourselves to, or embarrassed ourselves in, unique cocurriculars. What has been similar, however, is our persistence in trying new things and giving it our all regardless of success. At the end of the day, all this is all we can ask of ourselves. Beyond ourselves, we know that every girl in our year has experienced the past five years of high school in a different light, not necessarily for better or worse but most definitely distinctly unique.
Since taking on our roles last year, we have sought to acknowledge individual experiences and to encourage girls to take risks, give things a go, challenge themselves, and embrace all the fads and phases that they will experience during high school. It is through these experiences that they are able to become truly comfortable with their sense of self and learn some of the most valuable lessons in life. A key hallmark of adolescence is greater independence and as every success becomes more satisfying, so also every failure can feel more difficult. These trials and tribulations, however, help us grow to our potential and equip us for the path to come, both through school and beyond.
As a year group, we have also had to accept that there is no perfect path. This has been made abundantly clear through COVID-19 and the numerous changes and restrictions we have all had to adapt to over the past two years. For us, this included missing out on the “best camps ever”, the Year 10 Urban Adventure and Year 11 Retreat. Whilst changes like these were devastating at the time, we have learnt to make the most of the opportunities we do get – including our Year 12 Assembly, Sister Groups, the Swimming Carnival and, most importantly, the House Music Festival.
The House Music Festival was a real lesson for us. Watching Year 12 organise the Festival year after year, it seemed to us to be a simple journey, without setbacks. When it was our turn, we realised that it is an event which comes together through blood, sweat and tears. Through this challenge, everyone in Year 12 experienced the challenges of leadership and especially the difficulties of leading a group. We came through on these obstacles together and learned the value of teamwork. Although the path was undeniably bumpy at times, we were able to produce an extraordinary event, a show of Queenwood’s community, culture and infectious school spirit, which was all the sweeter after years of COVID chaos.
For us, and our entire year group, these failures and challenges have equipped us with life skills and knowledge that we can’t acquire from the classroom alone. Ultimately, these experiences and lessons will set us up for success, in whatever form that comes. We are grateful for the opportunities we have been given, as well as the constant encouragement from our parents, teachers, and friends which has allowed us to try new things, persist and give it our all, knowing we have their support no matter the outcome.
We know that when we leave school, our paths will not be perfect. But if we can carry these lessons with us, we know they will eventually lead to success.