Advice to our Year 9 selves.

Mickey:

Hello everyone, my name is Micaela Sumner.

Sarah:

And my name is Sarah Donaldson, and we are your Year 9 Prefects for 2024.

Mickey:

There is a very common saying that the only constant in our lives is change. Regardless of our feelings towards change, it will walk beside us our entire lives, shaping our present and determining our future. If I could venture back in time and speak with myself when I was your age, my first piece of advice would be to welcome change with an open heart, as it makes us who we are. In Year 9, I had just experienced an incredibly large change, possibly one of the biggest in my life. I had begun high school and was in the same position as all of you in Year 9. These are your most fundamental years, as you grow from curious young girls into intelligent, forward-thinking women. I would not be the person I am today without all of the changes I have experienced. Many more changes will be thrown your way throughout your years at high school, perhaps in the form of new friendships, new teachers, a new sport, or club. When these changes enter your life, it is completely normal to feel scared. The unknown is scary. However, the beautiful thing to remember is that the outcome of any change is yours alone to shape. While it is often believed that everything happens for a reason, and you will end up exactly where you are supposed to be, I like to believe something different. I like to believe that we can form our own future through dedication and hard work. That after any large change, we can go out into the world and choose the outcome we deserve. And as the world progresses around you, I encourage you to be the change you want to see in the world. Although I am not Ghandi, this quote holds many truths. Be kind, be strong, be passionate, be dedicated, and I can promise you others will follow in your lead.

Sarah:

Everyone makes mistakes. It is part of being human. If I were back at 13 years old, sitting in the front row, the first piece of advice I would give is that you learn from every mistake you make. I have had to shift my perspective on making mistakes throughout my years at high school, and have finally learned that it is not embarrassing or shameful. Making mistakes should be seen as a learning opportunity. The fear of failure is very common, but again, it reminds us that we are prone to imperfections, and at the end of the day are just humans. Failing does not make it the end of the road, just a mere detour in the journey. The quote that lies on our school crest, ‘Through love of learning, we learn to live’ is something that holds great inspiration to us all. We are constantly learning during our lives, whether this is in the classroom, or life in general. After we make mistakes, we take the time to learn what needs to be done to fix them.

Mickey:

My second piece of advice for my Year 9 self would be the importance of asking for help. We are extremely lucky here at Queen’s High School to have many kind, intelligent teachers ready to help us whenever we may need. It may seem awkward or uncomfortable at first, but I can guarantee you that the outcome is so much better than if we were to never ask in the first place. To be willing to receive help, we must first be willing to ask. If you have a test coming up that you feel underprepared for, make time with your teacher to catch up on the content. If you have an important sports game next week, talk with your coach about ways to better prepare yourself. If you are feeling stressed and burnt out, contact your dean or form teacher about ways to better manage your workload. These last two emotions are an integral part of high school, one that we become much more familiar with as time goes on and we further strive for success through our education and extracurriculars. When faced with these feelings, it is important to remember that you are not always going to be ok, and that seeking out help is perhaps one of the greatest forms of self-care. When I was at my lowest, I gathered support from the people around me and used it to my advantage. I am proud of myself for doing this.

Sarah:

I am sure you have heard the saying “You miss 100 percent of the shots you do not take” and I carry that with me every day. Taking risks is one of the most fundamental parts of life. They are calculated leaps of faith that propel us forward and open up new opportunities we may not have realised were available. In Year 9 I am extremely proud of myself for trying as many sports as possible, as it carved the person I am today. I strongly urge you to do the same. I get that it is daunting and slightly nerve-wracking, but by taking these risks you may find something you love, and even make new connections that could stick with you for the rest of your life. Connections are what make experiences, and experiences are what high school is all about. Having faith in yourself is another important piece of advice I would give to Year 9 Sarah. Being able to acknowledge and recognise your unique self and talents is something that everyone deserves to know. I believe that self-worth is the foundation of resilience, and resilience is what is needed to learn. So, I invite you this year to seize every opportunity you are given. I want you to grow, learn new skills, meet new people, and use this time in your life as a stepping stone. Remember to be kind, stay motivated and take risks. You can only go up from here.

Sarah:

I remember Mickey in year 9….

Mickey:

And I remember Sarah in year 9…

Sarah:

We were never in the same class, but I saw her win the speech competition, I saw her win aerobics, and I even saw her get 4th in the spelling bee. Mickey’s hard work and talent has not only held her in good stead for the past 4 years but inspired others to be just as determined and motivated as she is.

Mickey:

And I watched from afar as Sarah dominated athletics day and won the Athletics Cup, was awarded a Year 9 Scholarship, danced her heart out on the National stage with the top Queen’s Hip Hop Crew, and was selected into the Senior A netball team, all while constantly pulling people together and making them laugh. Sarah’s respect for passion and commitment are just some of her many admirable qualities, holding her in good stead for the past 4 years and allowing her to become the inspiring woman she is today.

Sarah:

Even though our relationship has sometimes been turbulent, we work things out. Life may have pushed us apart, but it has also pulled us back together.

Mickey:

We are proud of the people we have become, and can promise you that someday not so far in the future, when you are standing on this stage, you too will feel proud.