It’s a big decision to spend an extra year completing VCE. For BSSC student, Josh Russell, that decision has brought him a chance to completely recover from glandular fever which made last year a real struggle.
“I actually only had about three weeks away from school,” remembers Josh, “but the ongoing fatigue was awful. I really enjoy school but was so wrecked I couldn’t perform at my best.”
He ended the year exhausted, but took an unexpected lesson from the experience.
“I got a taste of what some students have to deal with every day. I wonder how they cope. I have much more empathy for people who struggle now.”
Initially Josh was against the idea of a third year of VCE but is now reaping the benefits. He’s studying three Unit 3/4 subjects this year: English, Music Composition and Theatre Studies.
“I would describe the college as a place where you are encouraged to be an individual—and I can be a bit of a character,” Josh grins.
“I’m not disruptive or anything, but teachers here let me be myself and I feel respected as an individual. It has made BSSC my favourite school.”
Josh’s journey through school has been far from typical.
“I’ve been to seven schools because my dad is in the ADF (Australian Defence Forces). Each time we moved I had a whole new start. Having dyslexia also made changing schools just that bit harder.”
In the midst of a life that has seen so much change, Josh is grateful for the consistent support his parents have given and continue to offer him.
One of the challenges he’s encountered at BSSC is having town is so close and accessible—but it’s also a chance to practice the discipline of staying at school.
“My hot study tip is to find what puts you in the zone and do it. I have recently been shutting myself off somewhere quiet, putting in the headphones with semi-ambient/soundscape music that switches my brain on without triggering my musical interest.”
Josh has also developed de-stressing methods he suspects few others use.
“I do yoga and stretching—especially Zen Thai Yoga. Sitting still and being mindful does not work for me.”
With regards to music, Josh’s own journey started quite late. He joined the BSE choir and began piano lessons in Year 10 and while he loved the choir, he was not sold on piano.
These days he studies singing with Maddy Kidd off-site and recently began dance lessons—which he describes as “quite challenging”.
When he first arrived at BSSC for Year 11, Josh asked Ash Bird to teach him bass guitar.
“‘Mr Bird’—I always call him that and it’s become a joke between us—said to me, ‘no Josh, you look like a guitarist to me’.”
Being one of those people who totally immerses in something they love, Josh embraced learning guitar. He discovered that Ash was not only correct about his aptitude for this instrument but was also a brilliant guitar teacher.
“I love the Music Department and spend most of my time there. It’s where all the great equipment, rehearsal rooms and instruments are, and has an important social function as a place to decompress and connect with people who share your love of music.
“There’s an acceptance of everyone—whether you are a virtuoso or just starting out.”
Josh has become a familiar face at BSSC Open Mic lunchtime concerts and has played and sung in the Ulumbarra Theatre for Graduation, Awards Night, the Anzac Day ceremony and various assemblies.
The highly-charged and nerve-wracking experience of performing on stage has taught him to keep his cool under pressure.
The Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones and The Cure are standout favourites and Josh also loves Jazz.
While many of his musical mates have moved on to uni and other adventures, new friends and a huge amount of talent among BSSC’s Year 11 students are inspiring Josh’s own talent.
He’s put his hand up to be one of the Student Leaders for Music this year and the future is also looking musical for Josh.
Presently, his plan is to study a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre) at Victorian College of the Arts and he hopes to make a career out of performing, or perhaps writing music for film or TV.
“Of course, every musical theatre student dreams of being on Broadway,” he says. “I’d love to play the role of Sweeney Todd or Anthony in ‘Sweeney Todd and the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’.”
In the meantime, the local musical theatre troupe, Nexus, has given Josh fantastic opportunities to develop his on-stage skills and capacity.
He played one of the lead roles in last year’s production, ‘Pirates of Penzance’, and will be the alternate prince in this year’s production of ‘Cinderella’.
Josh says he’s proud of being prepared to ‘jump in the deep end’ of things, taking on challenges where he has less experience than others.
“For example, it was a bit scary, but I still took up dancing lessons.
“If I could go back and give my twelve-year-old self some advice I would say, ‘It’s less important to be really good at something than to be really passionate about what you’re doing’.
“It’s more important to enjoy the company of other people than to be the best one in the group. There’s something special about working and learning together.”
