DESPITE the challenges of an extraordinary final year, Kerang Technical High School captains Fihar Fagiri and Emily Copland are remaining positive as they look ahead to VCE exams and university ambitions.
“We’ve persevered through it and I think we’ll be better for it,” Fihar said
He explained that this year had fostered adaptability and an acceptance that even with the best laid plans, things don’t always go your way and you need to be able to think on the fly.
Fihar and Emily found their leadership roles very different to what they envisaged prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both expected to build stronger relationships with other students this year, being on hand to provide support.
“It would have been good to be at school and engage with students and run activities for them to bring everyone together,” Emily said.
“They haven’t really got to know us and it’s been the wellbeing team that’s been on top of that.”
The wellbeing team contacted students throughout the lockdown periods and checked how they were going.
Both Fihar and Emily appreciated the efforts teachers had made to guide students through a difficult year.
Fihar noted the willingness of teachers to provide assistance to students outside school hours.
Both leaders agreed exam preparation was far from ideal for this year’s VCE students.
“We’re at a crossroads where we’re finishing course content and trying to fit in exam revision at the same time and that’s difficult,” Fihar said.
While agreeing that was challenging, Emily felt students would handle the pressure.
“We should be fine and we’ve done what we need to do so hopefully we can get over the line,” she said.
Both captains have clear paths in mind for next year and beyond.
“I’m planning on studying a chemical engineering and commerce double degree,” Fihar said.
That direction is inspired by a passion for science, with Fihar keen to study at the University of Melbourne or Monash University.
Emily aims to stay closer to home, with her sights set on a degree in secondary teaching, with maths and PE, at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
