How Queensland’s Year 12 students made it through 2020
Today thousands of graduating year 12 students will celebrate the end to their high school education. In celebration here is a snapshot from 11 schools across the southeast on how they coped with homeschooling, a pandemic, social distancing and an unpredictable future.
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Graduating students from the class of 2020 have faced a year of turmoil with disruptions to lessons, formals, sporting events, and end of semester celebrations.
We asked a random selection of Year 12 students from across the southeast region what made this year memorable for them.
Here is a collection of the Class of 2020 and what this year has meant to them.
THE YEAR THAT WAS RELATED NEWS
FORMALS: Galleries galore with hundreds of pictures from the Class of 2020
BOARDING SCHOOL: School students’ heartbreaking COVID plea
PREPPIES: First time students bounce back into education after COVID-19
AMBROSE TREACY COLLEGE, INDOOROOPILLY
“After all the disappointments of a COVID Year 12, I believe there was still plenty to be thankful for.” - School captain Thomas Perissinotto
While COVID-19 has had a significant impact on our year, part of my mindset was to avoid making a big deal of it. This is not the first year to have significant interruptions nor will it be the last.
While it was disappointing to not receive the “normal” Year 12 experience, I reminded myself that there is in fact no such thing as normal, and every year brings its own challenges. My heart goes out to the graduating classes of the early 1940’s who had to focus on exams and assignments amidst the horror of a world war.
And so to survive this year we adopted their mantra of ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’.
As leaders at ATC, part of our role was to bring a sense of normalcy to learning from home, connecting with students via videos and encouraging them to continue with their studies and do the things they enjoyed about school - albeit from a safe distance.
While being “COVID-safe” was a major focus when organising school events, general day to day schooling continued in a modified way. In a surprising twist, the pandemic opened up opportunities and new study options that I had not previously considered.
I am very happy to be moving to Canberra to study a combined degree Ph.B.(ANU)/BSc(Hons)NUS - in physics and maths at both ANU and National University of Singapore.
They only admit 8-10 Australians each year to this degree.
QUEENSLAND ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE MATHEMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY
“I am certain that the lessons 2020 has taught us and the personal accomplishments we have all made by pushing through, will stay with our individual characters and help us in our futures.’’
The extent to which 2020 tried to separate us was unprecedented, but, as a student leadership team, we worked to connect our QASMT community the best we could through all of the modes we had access to.
We found success in this, and it was great to see how, on our first day after lockdown, we were able to reconnect almost as if it was just the Monday after a weekend.
We owe just as much of this to the inclusive school environment and extensive facilities provided by our teachers and school administration.
Even if the wounds of the year are still quite fresh, I am certain that the lessons 2020 has taught us and the personal accomplishments we have all made by pushing through, will stay with our individual characters and help us in our futures.
All 2020 Year 12 students should be so proud of what we have achieved.
BEENLEIGH STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“Despite the obstacles that 2020 threw our way, it has built resilience within our cohort and we have come out of this as stronger people.” - School captain Mitch Squires
During the initial transition to online schooling, I personally found it difficult – it was hard to complete the work assigned without having a teacher’s influence and feedback. However, as time went on, it became easier to manage.
Even though online schooling had many challenges, it also gave me the opportunity to focus more on a future career in health and fitness.
When we came back to school, I was hoping to get back to training for rugby league, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, the season was cancelled.
This was extremely disappointing because not only was it my last year in the team, it was my final year as captain. In addition to the sport season being cancelled, a lot of other school events were postponed, such as cross country, swimming carnival and various Leadership Conferences.
BEENLEIGH STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“Year 12 was supposed to be the last hoorah before our adult life begins and it feels as though we had that opportunity robbed from us.” - Prefect Casey Dernelley
Being the first year to go through the ATAR system was like being in a state of limbo — constantly waiting for updates on exams and assessments from QCAA — along with the fear of the rising COVID-19 death toll knocking at the door.
Having to shift everything to online learning was a difficult task as it was hard to fully express questions and concerns efficiently through a computer screen. It was almost as if learning had lost its spark during those two months at home.
I won’t lie when I say it was difficult to stay motivated as I was questioning what the future would hold and whether the stress was worth it. But it was.
Handing in a completed assignment was like an unbearable load off my shoulders and I was finally able to breathe a breath of fresh air. Those late night online study sessions with friends were the moments when I could relax at the thought of knowing I wasn’t going through it all alone.
The constant support of dedicated teachers must also be commended as they continuously encouraged me to move forward. It wasn’t completely ruined as the many makeshift events that were held gave us a chance at distraction and the feeling of normalcy.
I’m glad I had my friends and a few important teachers at my side as they were the ones who truly provided the best support.
At least I can say that our year will be ready for whatever the future throws at us.
BEENLEIGH STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“It was moments like that which have taught us that community is so important.” - Captain, culture group leader Katerina Lealali
When I was announced as the School Captain, I was excited to see what was in store for my senior year. After watching last year’s leadership team, I had such high expectations for myself and my fellow captains.
Very quickly everything changed; extra-curricular activities were cancelled and school went off campus. It was so disappointing not being able to fulfil my role, and I felt that I had also let my team down. Being a school captain came with a lot of responsibilities.
I could see how the people around me were affected: my family, friends, peers, teachers and the community.
Events asuch as ANZAC Day hold great importance within our community, but instead of being surrounded by the masses of familiar faces, we laid wreaths in front of only a handful of invited guests.
It was moments like that which have taught us that community is so important. Even though we are doing things differently, we have been determined to celebrate all that we have achieved despite the adversity that we’ve faced. I now feel fulfilled in my role as Captain and can now say that I’ve accomplished what I set out to achieve.
BRISBANE BOYS’ COLLEGE
“I don’t think our cohort has experienced a schooling like any other.” - Captain Alister Gomersall.
I think you would struggle to find a grade at BBC in recent memory that has faced more change and challenge than the Class of 2020, the first cohort of Year 7 in high school, the first year of a new ATAR system, a global pandemic, six weeks of online Learning at Home.
It is quite a list. It’s been quite a journey, but what I find quite remarkable, is that despite that, despite the adversity and disappointment we might have faced I believe I can confidently say that not one of us, not even for a second, would consider trading our place with another school, with another year.
This year we’ve had it all stripped away, we’ve had challenge after challenge dropped in our hands but as we’ve seen more this year than ever, it’s one’s reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how one’s story is written.
I firmly believe that this year, when we look back, will not be defined by the coronavirus itself, but will be defined by how a community of brothers fused together by years and years of shared experiences and memories – the 2020 BBC community – rose above the challenges and disappointments to write a story of resilience and unbreakable spirit, to write a story unlike any others.
CLAIRVAUX MACKILLOP COLLEGE, UPPER MT GRAVATT
“2020 may have changed our plans for senior year, but it definitely didn’t change our motivation to make a difference and succeed” – school captains Brooke Anderson & Alexander Burovanov
This year started with a real sense of excitement. It was the beginning of a new decade and the opportunity to lead our College, along with the chance to celebrate all the milestones we’d been waiting for throughout our entire schooling. Everyone was looking forward to an amazing year!
With the emergence of COVID-19 however, visions of a ‘normal’ senior year quickly vanished. Suddenly freedoms that we’d taken for granted were gone, resulting in a real sense of uncertainty and nervousness.
We had never anticipated being leaders from a distance, but we seized the opportunity and did our best to keep our community spirit alive.
We were fortunate to return to school halfway through Term 2, prompting an immense feeling of relief and excitement. Simple events such as seeing our friends every day and even walking through the College became a happy and comforting experience.
2020 may have changed our plans for senior year, but it definitely didn’t change our motivation to make a difference and succeed. If anything, it taught us to think outside the box, be flexible with plans and be grateful for the simple things, knowing that the resilience we’ve learned will continue to help us in the future.
2020 will be memorable for many reasons (not just COVID) and has led to a strong and supportive bond among students. As seniors, we persevered, worked hard and made it to the finish line with a sense of gratitude and hope for the future.
We take this opportunity to wish all our fellow graduands of 2020 the best of good fortune.
GRACE LUTHERAN COLLEGE, ROTHWELL
“2020 did not give us what we expected, yet we as a school were able to rise above the setbacks.” - College captains Tiger Lily Chau, James Lee, Aidan Orsini, Teagan Methorst
When we first heard our names called on assembly, it was a humbling moment that gave us feelings of gratitude and pride.
From the first day, we had high hopes for the year to come, and firmly believed that the sky was the limit for our cohort.
As the year went on, we were faced with new challenges. With these setbacks came new opportunities for us as leaders to be involved in more aspects of school life. From creative planning for the inaugural Rothwell-hosted Grace Celebrates to the Year 12 Formal, we were able to voice the cohort’s thoughts on key events, giving the graduating class of 2020 a chance to shine.
With a lack of physical togetherness, online communication became a big part of our day-to-day lives. This allowed us to grow closer not only as a team, but as a cohort and as a college. With the ever-changing circumstances surrounding COVID, the need for looking out for the welfare of others became paramount for us as captains, and as a college.
If nothing else, this year has highlighted to us how we all need to band together in times of distress.
We had to find new ways to pass on these messages to our peers. And with this, we were able to form new traditions which brought us all together, like Friday Night Footy for the Year 12’s.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, LOGAN
“I think having a year that is different to previous years is what will make it so memorable.” - Madison Watson
This year there was so much uncertainty for us Year Twelve students, from the formal being rescheduled several times, to online schooling, the change in internal assessments and external exams, it has all been extremely overwhelming.
Personally, for my Senior year, this isn’t exactly how I had planned nor envisioned it to be. However, the continuous online education period for six weeks was difficult, particularly with learning Year 12 content.
For me, I always like to attend tutorials to extend and solidify my knowledge, however throughout this period I was unable to do so. While it wasn’t suitable to have face-to-face tutorials, my teachers at JPC never failed to support me. Whether that be organising a team meeting, a forum chat, or asking a question over email – they were always there.
From this experience, I believe I have become a more resilient and stronger person. It was a great opportunity to get organised for the rest of the year, particularly with external assessments, and has taught me to stay positive in the face of adversity, looking to the amazing future that lies ahead of all Year 12 students.
JOHN PAUL COLLEGE, LOGAN
“If I was going to sum up 2020 in one word it would have to be ‘unprecedented’.” - Conor Argue
What my fellow Year 12’s and I had planned for our final year of school could not have been further from what this year actually threw our way.
From not knowing whether we were going to have a formal, a graduation or even be able to come back to school to be together one last time, COVID-19 really was a shock to the system.
But with all of the challenges that were brought upon us by online learning, also came opportunities. Opportunities to be innovative in our learning and accountable for our own study.
I strongly believe that the most growth I have experienced as a student in Year 12 has been because of the pandemic. I have learned how to be self-motivated, responsible and a independent learner without constant help from my teachers.
If anything, COVID-19 has helped me prepare for university and life in the real world, a world where I am held accountable and need to take initiative to be successful.
I am hoping to take all these valuable skills I have learned throughout my time at JPC with me to study Business in 2021. I am very excited to see where the future takes me.
MACGREGOR STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“It was never easy but I never felt alone.”- Academic captain Kelly Wang
Through all the strife and turmoil, I always had support from my community, my cohort and myself.
I’m so lucky to say that the challenges, multitudinous as they were, fostered perseverance.
I’ve matured so much from 2020’s challenges. That’s the nature of growth—it’s subsequent to adversity. It’s been incredible to see the magnitude of not only my own personal growth but the growth of my community.
In that respect, I’m grateful to have had opportunities for enrichment and growth when I know that globally, 2020 has seen vast devastation that cannot be disregarded.
I’m thankful for my circumstances. I’m very fortunate that my 2020 experience bears some semblance to a “normal” senior year but I feel even luckier to have been able to shape new traditions.
Without dancing, we reinvented our school formal night. Without carnivals, we found alternative ways of bringing the community together. We did it all together.
I learned that the impact of unified student agency is extraordinary; against adversity, solidarity was our ally. Looking ahead, I believe that we can, we have and we will.
I am a 2020 senior. This is still my senior year. 2020 is only the prologue to my future.
The Australian National University is the scene for the next chapter of my life and I feel ready to learn through 2021 and beyond.
MACGREGOR STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“I think if you asked anyone they would agree; no one would choose to graduate this year.” - Cultural captain Jian Pass
The year 2020 did not feel like I imagined it to feel. I pictured sporting and musical events and competitions, group photos and bittersweet rides home.
After each event, I would say “Wow, that’s the last time I’ll ever do that”, counting the number of days until final exams, and graduation. Instead, it felt rushed.
Refreshing news feeds, email inboxes, waiting for the next big event to be cancelled, sighing, “back to study, I guess”.
This year was not the year to graduate. And yet, here we are, against our will.
I think in this, is a lesson many people in my grade genuinely understand now.
We get dealt our cards, and life doesn’t care what they are.
Some people have it better, some people have it worse. We should be grateful for what we have, and make the most of the situation we find ourselves in.
Of course, we all knew this, and we’ve been told this many times in our life.
But knowing something, and feeling something, is different.
MACGREGOR STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“In all honesty, 2020 forced many of my peers and I to really consider what matters most to us.” - Academic captain Alic Irakoze
This year has been one of significant introspection and growth that has ultimately been a result of many changes that I’ve had to accept.
As Year 12s going through the same challenges we realised how important it was for us to connect and to work hard together to ensure we all crossed the finishing line.
This year we learned more than the concepts traditionally taught in school; we learned to appreciate time, to nurture relationships and to make moments matter because anything can change and despite how much we plan, not everything is certain.
Indeed, for some of us 2020 has not been the best year at all.
However, I believe that as long as we are committed to striving to fulfil our dreams and aspirations, nothing can stop us – not a new education system, not a global pandemic, and not online learning and its difficulties.
The resilience we all have developed is of a level I don’t think we ever thought we’d acquire – let alone need at all.
In regards to my own individual journey, as a result of the reflection and changes 2020 has inspired for me, contrary to what I thought I would pursue mere months ago, I hope to complete a double vertical degree with a Bachelors in Science and a Masters in Education.
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE
“Reflecting on the year that was arises a feeling of pride for me and many others involved in our College community.” - School captain James Clarke
As the College Captain of 2020, I am extremely proud of the way the senior students have strived to maintain this sense of togetherness despite the challenges of online learning and the cancellation of major events such as sporting grand finals and cultural performances.
The senior leadership group focused on establishing a program called the ‘Brotherhood
Initiative’ which involved partnering a younger student with a Year 12 student during the
home learning period.
The boys would have weekly video conversations with the purpose of building relationships and creating a feeling of connectedness with the school.
We had a very positive response from the students and families and it proved beneficial for not only the younger boys but the senior leaders who felt a real sense of pride in supporting their peers.
This was a great initiative, developed by our seniors which recognised the importance of
mental health and wellbeing and the big difference, small gestures can make.
This initiative was one result of the many collective efforts from our college community and I will be forever grateful to have been a part of it.’’
MARSDEN STATE HIGH SCHOOL
“Despite the unfortunate events of COVID-19, never has the importance of a supportive community been more prevalent.” - School captain Lyvante Su’Emai
When envisioning our graduating year of High School, I could have never guessed it would be
like this. Yes, we have been the cohort of many firsts – the first prep’s, year 7’s and the first
grade to undergo ATAR - but a pandemic!? That was not on our predicted itinerary. Yet, personally, quarantine was hard, but I felt like it was necessary.
It challenged me to stay motivated despite the disruption to my learning environment/ routine. To be frank, I entertained the idea of skipping a few online classes to sleep in, but knowing that I shared the same situation as many others encouraged my persistence against adversity.
As a school, we were given so much support during our online learning which encouraged
our growth as students.
Without the support of our families and school community, we wouldn’t have the
opportunities that we have. I am very proud and grateful to be a part of the Class of 2020.
MARSDEN HIGH SCHOOL
“As a graduate of 2020, this year reminds me that this life is too short and it could be taken away just as quickly as it came.” - Student Giovannah Okesene
I noticed this year distinguished between two groups of people: Those who rose above the
adversity and pushed through and those who crumbled.
I crumbled. The pandemic just gave me and my mentality at that time another excuse to just give up. So I did, at that time.
But when I say resilient, it takes so much strength to be on either side of that fine line: to
push through when the going gets tough or to slowly pick up the pieces and start afresh.
This year taught me so much about myself, my strengths, my weaknesses, my need for God.
It taught me the importance of checking in on my priorities, familial relationships, health
and wellbeing.
It felt like only yesterday we walked through those high school gates as naive but excited 11
and 12-year-olds. As a graduate of 2020, this year reminds me that this life is too short and it
could be taken away just as quickly as it came.
I may not be the brightest, most successful person in this term of my life, but the fact that I am alive and well, that we are all in this together makes it so much easier to accept.
I couldn’t possibly picture my life without the mountains and valleys of 2020, and I’m
excited to say that I came out the other side to successfully graduate high school and ready
to tackle the next challenge that university life will bring.
MORETON BAY BOYS’ COLLEGE
“Between COVID-19 and a change of schooling system in Queensland, the Class of 2020 has not had the easiest Senior year.” - Captain Oliver Fletcher
Returning to school in January alongside the cohort of 2020 to embark on our final year of studies at the College was a surreal experience.
At the time, no one knew of the difficulties our cohort, school or the world would face in the months ahead. What I have seen this year has been inspiring and reminded me of the supportive and nurturing environment Moreton Bay Boys’ College has created for its students.
As the reality of the pandemic took hold, staff truly went above and beyond to ensure every student remained engaged throughout their entire MBBC experience including online learning, assemblies, and chapels.
Even despite the challenges of 2020, the students of MBBC have achieved so much in their sporting, cultural and academic pursuits. To keep engaged with students, my fellow captains and I produced various videos, virtual speeches and fortnightly newsletters for the staff and students as well as holding small in-person social events once restrictions had eased.
For the rest of our lives we will be the class that graduated during a pandemic. I truly believe that every Senior across Australia should be proud of what they have achieved this year and take the lessons they have learnt from it to make the world a slightly better place.
MORETON BAY COLLEGE
“Seniors have led with courage and hope and are undoubtedly future trailblazers, emerging stronger and more resilient.” - Captain Tara McCarthy
It has been an immense honour and privilege to see the bay community epitomise care, character, engagement and teamwork and truly thrive in a time of unprecedented change.
Aligning with our Senior legacy, Each Rebel Heart, Play Your Pink Part, the 2020 MBC College Captains launched the book Good Night Stories for Rebel Bay Girls, featuring MBC students and staff who have achieved a goal or overcome challenges.
To stay socially connected during online learning, leadership was reimagined; including virtual assemblies/chapels, meetings over teams, and the college captains innovating initiatives to align with our Hearts and Minds Wellbeing Framework.
As the first cohort to undertake Pre-Prep, Year 7 in high school and the new ATAR system, the 2020 Seniors have led with courage and hope and are undoubtedly future trailblazers, emerging stronger and more resilient.
STUARTHOLME SCHOOL
“We are a very close school and the seniors helped the younger students when they returned (from lockdown).’’ - Valedictorian Molly McCann
It was super disappointing to have so many events cancelled, like our last cross country run and our last sports carnival for Year 12s.
“But I loved learning from home. It really suited me and I was very efficient.
“The seniors returned before the younger kids came back so we prepared a welcome for them, making chalk drawings on the ground and we left them welcome post-it notes on their lockers.
“We had a school formal in the end as well, although there was no dancing of course, but we had a magician who was fantastic.
“Our Valedictory mass and ceremony were livestreamed so the parents of boarders and grandparents could still see it.
“We got through it all pretty well. I’m looking forward to doing a maths and commerce degree at the University of Queensland.
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