HSC Excellence

Subjects

• English Advanced + Extension I
• Ancient History
• Mathematics Advanced
• Studies of Religion II
• Biology

How have you learned to balance academic excellence with your wellbeing and personal interests during your time at the school?

Through school-led activities such as study seminars by outside experts and wellbeing sessions, we learnt to use timetables, and to-do lists to organise schoolwork and free time. These were really helpful in teaching me to incorporate study breaks into my study timetable instead of working until I couldn’t study any more, which was very important during the lead-up to the HSC when almost every day was dedicated to exam preparation. I also learned through experience that study breaks should focus on going outside or seeing family instead of going on my phone, which only really made me more tired.

What support systems or relationships here have helped you feel safe, grounded and able to thrive?

KRB offered us support mentors in Year 11 and 12 who regularly checked in with us to make sure we were doing okay with the stress and heavy workload of both years, and my support mentors really helped me feel safe and inspired me to thrive. They reminded me to set realistic expectations of myself, grounded in personal growth instead of competition, and helped me develop an outlook on my subjects that taught me to enjoy and find interest in the content we learnt.

The 2025 cohort was also such a strong and supportive group during these very challenging years, as everyone really came together to uplift each other through academic help and emotional support.

How has your education here helped you develop a global mindset or a sense of responsibility to the wider world?

KRB has taught me to look beyond myself to not only appreciate the many opportunities I’ve been so lucky to receive throughout my life, but also to use those opportunities to help others in much more vulnerable situations than my own. Through programs like JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation) and the Arnhem Land immersion trip, the school taught us to express compassion whenever we can and to always see others with empathy instead of judgement. Through the Vinnies’ Van, I learnt that we have a strong social responsibility as people of privilege to actively uplift others who weren’t given the same chances that we were.

How have the values of the Sacred Heart shaped the person you are becoming?

The values of the Sacred Heart have really shaped my outlook on the world around me and how I approach my learning, as the school’s deep respect for intellectual values has taught me not just to value education as a pathway to a good career but also its importance in shaping critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of social issues. I learnt to love studying and be genuinely curious about my classes, which has made me excited to continue learning about the world in tertiary education and throughout my adult life. The Sacred Heart value of building community shaped my ability to form positive and supportive relationships with others, as I was able to make so many kind and selfless friends through school and was so lucky to be part of the 2025 cohort.

Subjects

• English Advanced
• Modern History
• Italian Beginners
• Mathematics Advanced
• Studies of Religion II

Can you share a moment when balancing schoolwork with co-curricular activities helped you grow as a learner and a person?

In Year 11, I ran a marathon whereby I had to find balance between training and study. While running took up quite a bit of my time, the most difficult part was the fatigue I felt, particularly on the weekends after long runs. If I had done a 25km+ run, the last thing I wanted to do was study for upcoming assessments. As such, I began to schedule certain tasks at certain times. This was a really important skill to learn when making study plans throughout Year 12.

It can be easy to write out a heap of tasks on your study planner at the beginning of the week or an exam block and tell yourself that this time around you will work really hard, not procrastinate and get everything on the list done. However, throughout marathon training I learnt that you have to consider what your future feelings, energy and motivation may be like before committing to a plan.

In what ways has the school felt like a sanctuary for you – academically, emotionally, or spiritually?

I would say the KRB campus has always offered spaces and moments that felt like a sanctuary, mostly for me in a spiritual and academic sense. Whether it was quiet reflection in the Chapel, quiet study in a room of the Hub, or even seating myself on the Harbour Terrace, there were countless opportunities to pause and re-centre myself if that was what I needed. Alongside those physical spaces, moments during retreats, espacios or wellbeing periods allowed me to become much more present when I felt like I was just following routine.

Can you share an experience – big or small – that expanded your understanding of global issues or different cultures?

Last December, I went to Cambodia with KRB on a 10-day cultural immersion and service trip. It opened my eyes to parts of both history and contemporary culture that I previously knew very little about. The most significant moments for me were visiting local schools and seeing how different quality of life was for people of my own age.

Hearing personal stories and learning about Cambodia’s history from real people expanded my understanding of resilience, cultural pride, and the ongoing impacts of conflict and poverty. It was an experience that reshaped the way I view global issues and the responsibility we have to stay aware and engaged.

How have the values of the Sacred Heart shaped the person you are becoming?

The Sacred Heart values have always encouraged me to strive to be the best version of myself, not just academically, but in character, compassion and service. Values like ‘a deep respect for intellectual values’ and ‘personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom’ taught me to pursue excellence with integrity, balance and self-awareness. They’ve shaped me into someone who wants to work hard, uplift others, and act with purpose.

Subjects

• Drama
• English Advanced + Extension I
• Modern History
• Economics
• Mathematics Advanced
• Studies of Religion I

Can you share a moment when balancing schoolwork with co-curricular activities helped you grow as a learner and a person?

During the start of Year 12, I was balancing the academic challenge of moving into my final year of schooling, water polo season beginning, my new leadership position in the Student Leadership Committee, and debating. While a challenge, these opportunities have allowed me to grow as a learner and a person as I learnt to use my time wisely and be resilient in the face of stress or tiredness. It has also taught me to seek help from others around me, and to rely on the amazing support system I have at KRB. Balancing a range of activities was a poignant reminder that it is impossible to do everything by yourself and that relying on others is vital.

Can you share an experience – big or small – that expanded your understanding of global issues or different cultures?

The Oxford Royale summer exchange program, which I engaged in through KRB during Year 11, allowed me an opportunity to travel to the UK and study law and politics with an Oxford professor and with students from all around the world. During this experience, I was immersed amongst the cultures of my fellow peers, including Peruvian, Egyptian, Brazilian and more. I was able to learn about their lives in their home countries, which broadened my personal awareness of the traditions held by other cultures and the similarities I share with others across the globe.

Which Sacred Heart value resonates most strongly with you, and how have you seen it expressed within the community?

The Sacred Heart value of “a social awareness which impels to action” resonates most strongly with me during my time at KRB and into the future. I have seen this expressed within the community through active service towards others, including JPIC volunteer work, Vinnies Night Patrol, Christmas hamper baskets, and most vital to my KRB experience, KRB Girls Cut Curls. KRB Girls Cut Curls brought our year group together to achieve our goal of raising funds for ovarian cancer and donating hair to be made into wigs for cancer patients. This experience taught us the importance of empathising with others’ experiences and that positive social action isn’t difficult when you do it as a team.

What does being a leader in your final year mean to you, and how have you sought to support or uplift others?

It was a special privilege to serve my community as a leader in my final year at school. Acting as a Year 12 leader provided me with an opportunity to offer my perspective on how KRB can continue to embody core Sacred Heart values and to give back to the school which has given me so much over the past 14 years. I have sought to uplift others through offering social and academic support and advice to younger peers, and through my involvement in major school events such as the planning and running of Sacred Heart Day.

Subjects

• English EALD
• Chinese and Literature
• Mathematics Extension 2
• Studies of Religion I
• Chemistry
• Mathematics Advanced (Accelerated 2024)
• Mathematics Extension 1 (Accelerated 2024)

How have you learned to balance academic excellence with your wellbeing and personal interests?

I learned that true excellence isn’t sustainable if it comes at the cost of burnout. Balance meant integrating my wellbeing and academics, not just juggling them. I schedule my sport and relaxation time with the same seriousness as my study blocks, both are commitments to growth. During the lead-up to my mock exams, which coincided with final rehearsals for the school musical, I managed my time to the minute. In the library, I was 100% present with my work; in the theatre, 100% with my friends. That duality taught me that my brain needs different kinds of challenges and joys to thrive.

In what ways has the school felt like a sanctuary for you—academically, emotionally, or spiritually?

This school has been a sanctuary most profoundly in its quiet moments of connection. Academically, it’s the library nook where a teacher spent an unscheduled hour helping me untangle a complex theory. Emotionally, it’s the Sacred Heart Chapel, not only for formal prayer, but as a silent space to simply be during a hectic week. This network makes me feel seen as a whole person, which is the foundation for taking intellectual risks and truly thriving.

How has your education here helped you develop a global mindset or a sense of responsibility to the wider world?

My global mindset was shaped not just in Geography or other classes, but in the daily fabric of our community. Our diverse student body means that debating a world issue involves firsthand perspectives from multiple continents, which has encouraged me to think critically, listen deeply, and see myself as part of a broader global community.

Which Sacred Heart value resonates most strongly with you, and how have you seen it expressed within the community?

The Sacred Heart value that resonates most deeply with me is a personal and active faith in God. For me, this transcends doctrine; it is the call to live with purpose and conviction. I see this expressed daily in the community’s commitment to justice, in respectful classroom debates, in the organising of social outreach clubs, and in the encouragement to reflect on how we use our privileges.