SLAS Graduate 2015 - Jemma Joiner - School Captain 2015

Jemma Joiner / School Captain 2015

Where are you now? This year I will be heading down to the University of Queensland studying the Bachelor of sports studies. After a year in this degree I hope to get into the Bachelor of Health, Sport and physical education. I will also be living on campus at Women’s College. 

What did you do after graduating at SLAS? After finishing year 12 in 2015 I made the decision to do a Gap year in the UK. I was placed in a school West of London at Copthorne Prep school a Private school from Nursery to Yr 8. I was assigned the Job of being a teacher’s assistant for Nursery to Yr 2 working and living alongside other Gappies, Boyd and Dehann.

Working an 8 to 9, 5 day a week job was hard, especially when working with 3 to 5yr olds and having the job of listening to them read as well as helping them with simple maths equations nearly every day (I’m now an expert at quickly solving equations in my head). The weeks were hard but the weekends were always great to look forward to. London was only a 20min train ride away and Iceland was only a 50 pound and 3hr flight away so getting away from the school was always easy.

The year was incredible, being my first year away from home (Australia) was hard. Getting into a different routine as well as getting use to the cold, miserable and below -7degree weather was a struggle but the summer was to die for!! In one year I managed to travel to more than 10 countries, learnt the importance of budgeting, packing just the right amount of clothes and got to see the Northern Lights. Traveling and working in a school environment I met the most incredible people and have made lifelong friends. It’s amazing how small the world is!! Whilst I was hiking in the Scottish Highlands I came across a pub that sold Bundaberg Brew drinks and Bundaberg rum!

I would highly recommend to all the current and future year 12s to take a gap year. Whilst working and traveling you will learn the most valuable life lessons, and you will find that your independence will amaze you. You become and discover the best part of who you are.

What is a favourite memory or memories from your time at SLAS? Reflecting on my time at St Luke’s, it is without a doubt that the teachers go unnoticed!! Each and every staff member at St Luke’s are amazing at what they do, and I was just lucky enough to be taught by all throughout my 13 years of education at the school. From cultural (Band, choir and Orchestra), service (Rely for Life, 40hrfamine and blood donation) and sporting (Hockey, Rowing and Swimming) there are just too many memories within them all to have just one. 

In Iceland (photo)

All the best Jemma

Thanks
PR