ATAR ASSEMBLY SPEECH – BREE POOLE

Good morning everyone. This assembly is an annual tradition as most of you know. And whilst every year you sit and listen to some high-achieving students that seem to have nailed their HSC year, you never really leave feeling enlightened or motivated or moved at all. Unfortunately, there isn’t a formula to doing well, there isn’t a right or wrong way to get through the year. I’d be stupid to stand up here and tell you all to handwrite your summaries and use a green highlighter for keywords and have Saturdays off. Not one of you came to Scots the same as anyone else, and whilst you listen to the same teachers and have the same pasta for lunch, you’ll leave with your own unique understanding of yourself, the world and the meaning behind your English texts. I grew up in Euroa in Victoria, where, in my eyes, 75% of people pretty much live the exact same life. I went to preschool or school throughout the week, I went to senior footy on Saturday and I went to junior footy on Sunday. I started playing netball and tennis, like 75% of girls my age. In my 2 years of preschool and my first year at school, my classes were 100% white, English-speaking Australian kids. In Grade 1 there was one boy of Asian appearance. His name was Chris. When we left Euroa at the end of 2007, Chris was really the only deviation from normal I’d known. So, I rocked up at Scots for my first day of Year 2. I met my teachers, who seemed to fit with my image of ‘normal’. They told me there was one other girl starting at Scots in Year 2, and that we’d be buddies for the first few weeks. In walked this girl, with bright blonde hair in two plaits and a long fringe. Her name was Tonya. She was from Russia and didn’t know a word of English. And she was my new buddy. I think I learnt more in my first 10 minutes at Scots than I did in any Year 12 class. Tonya and I both started and graduated from Scots together, we would’ve nearly had the same number of classes, learning the same stuff. But we’d come from completely different places. We both left last year with a number next to our name that determined where we sat compared to everyone else our age. I also left Scots knowing that you’ll never get anything out of comparing yourself to others. Tonya left Scots speaking fluently in a different language. However, despite a few adjustment factors, that’s exactly how the ATAR works. I know the Year 12’s will be sick of hearing how your ATAR doesn’t matter. So I’m not here to say that. Instead, keep your year and yourself in perspective. The same score in Maths or the same time in the 50m freestyle reflects differently on you than it will on others. An amazing ATAR for you might be disappointing for someone else and vice versa. Keep your results in perspective of your skills and your circumstances. I received a high ATAR because I could write chemical formulas and some TQE sentences, but I can’t speak another language, I haven’t represented my country, my family and I are all healthy and well. I’m terrible at drawing, I can’t play an instrument, I’m not a great cook. Keep perspective of how well your ATAR reflects you and your efforts. You’ll leave at the end of this year with a long list of valuable knowledge and memories. Looking back on 2018 I remember dancing in the production, playing girl’s footy, the last swimming carnival and walking out at the end of the music festival. I remember playing netball every Saturday, I remember my friends 18th birthday, I remember working a shift with my funniest friends. I now know that not everyone spends their weekend at the footy, there is no such thing as normal, and how important family and true friends are. When you leave this school keep perspective, and I promise you will leave with much more than a number.