Graduating Student Profile – Violet F

This month, Ruby C (Year 9) sat down with graduating Oxley Prefect Violet F.

When did you begin your educational journey as a student at Oxley?

In 2020, I started as a Year 7 student after completing K-6 at Bowral Public.

What would be the highlights of your schooling at Oxley?

The Duke of Edinburgh has truly been the best part of my Oxley experience. When I tell people I have my Gold, they always seem surprised, and honestly, I am too. The person I was when I came to Oxley never would have gotten that award, but hiking in torrential rain, heat waves, through blisters, freeze-dried food, gale force winds and horrendous flus, I realised I was so much more than the labels I’d assigned to myself at 12 or 13. I wasn’t just my grades, or my achievements, or even what people thought of me, and that really changed my life.

Looking back what piece of advice would you give your Year 9 self?

This is super cheesy, but stick with me. Sometimes, it will get dark, suffocating, and feel like it’s hard to breathe. Don’t be scared. That’s what being planted feels like.

Every challenge, set back, low point, or heartbreak is just the precursor to growth, and growing pains are very, very real, but also very, very worth it. Life has a funny way of making the worst parts feel worth it, I promise.

What would your favourite subject be at Oxley and why?

I honestly couldn’t pick. I have a policy of saying every subject is my favourite subject, just in case the HSC gods are listening so they don’t smite me (but also because I firmly believe in having a growth mindset).

I really think it’s not a question of the subject itself, but your teacher, and you. It’s all about how you two work together and how much work you’re willing to put in.

The ‘Spoken Word’ plays a significant role in your educational journey at Oxley, what is a memorable highlight for you?

Winning the State Championships was huge. Something people don’t realise is that I’d lost three beforehand, so that medal meant so much more than success to me.

Sure, it was validating to win – and I do love prize money – but truly, it was so rewarding to know that I’d grown. I’d learned. I’d taken every punch to the gut, every almost-but-not-quite, every setback and every heartbreak and I’d made it into something positive.

I’d wanted to win state since I was six years old, and the feeling when they finally called my name after 11 years of hard work meant the world. 

What teachers have left an everlasting impression on you and why?

So, so many people. Ms McGuiness is genuinely one of the funniest people I know, Mr Brett is incredibly sweet and Mr Cadwallader has seen me through everything and is always up for a deep chat. Mr Verco will always do the accents and has genuinely marked at least 50 of my practice papers for modern in the past year (when you get to the senior years, you’ll realise how insane that is). Mr Clewett has always supported me – I’m not kidding, he once bought an entire Gumnut chocolate mud cake because I made my first (and last) successful shot in basketball in the final game – and Ms McVean is the absolute best for balancing making sure my grades are ok and that I’m ok. Mr and Mrs Simpson are genuinely two of the nicest, most talented people I know. Mr Lee still looks over my English work for me even though he hasn’t taught me in years and Ms Pascoe made me love English again. Mrs Patterson is one of the coolest, most fashionable people there is and cooked some of the best meals of my life on Outback, and lest we forget Mr Bevan, who almost made me like science. Almost.

Dr Mulford, in his brief tenure as interim head master, also made a significant impact on my life. His kindness, humility, grace and sense of humour have always stuck with me. Mr Cunich, for casting me as a lead in a school play and always chatting to me when he sees me around. Mr Dibdin, for seeing me at the lowest points of my life and the highest, and for smiling knowingly when I lose it about how stupid it is to hike in the rain, knowing I’d thank him later and call it one of the most rewarding experiences of my life in a Pin Oak article. Maturing is realising Mr Dibdin loves Duke of Ed for a reason.

Also, a shout out to Sue who calls me ‘lovely girl’ every time she sees me. That makes my day. I’ll miss you Sue.

I’m grateful to each and every one of them.

What would your favourite excursion memory be?

Outback is truly the best thing you can do at Oxley. If anyone is even considering not going, I beg of you to reconsider.

From stargazing in the middle of horse racing tracks, cooking gourmet curries on red dirt, sleeping under ground in Coober Pedy, trekking around Uluru, to long, hot, bus rides spent learning how to play every card game under the sun, Outback let me understand Oxley, my year, my teachers, and myself.

Also, my life hack for you if you like reading, is bring a kindle and a solar-powered charging bank. There is a lot of time on the bus. I read my way through 12 books by the time outback was done. So much fun. 

And do not buy the Big W cutlery sets. Don’t do it. Bring metal cutlery. And spare cutlery. Also, always shower if there’s a good shower, eat your fruit and veggies, and make sure you stock up on snacks when you get the chance.

Going forward, what are your plans for next year after finishing your journey at Oxley?

The goal is to travel around Europe for a bit before I head home and buckle down for a dual degree in law and arts. With that, I’ll hope to become a barrister. So I’m not saying commit a crime, but if you do, and then you wait 10 years until I have my degree and I’m practising, I’m your girl.