​​Last month, Louka McAllister received an HSC ATAR of 97 - the highest ever awarded to a Shearwater graduate, with two Band 6 results (indicating a mark over 90) and five Band 5s, or equivalent. 

After two years immersed in the full spectrum of academic subjects - Physics, Chemistry, Advanced and Extension Maths, and Advanced and Extension English 1 and 2, as well as Business Studies “just for fun”, Louka is enjoying a big breath out this year - getting his hands dirty, working for a friend’s roofing business and saving some money for travel, before starting a university Science degree in “Physics, Maths or both”.

He laughs when I ask about the roofing and admits he learnt a thing or two apart from advanced calculus, during his 15 years at Shearwater.

"I’m probably not the most handy person but I know my way around a little bit. I definitely enjoyed subjects like metalwork and woodwork in the younger years of High School. Even though I didn’t end up pursuing those subjects, it was a good opportunity to explore them and get some more skills."

With offers of places into Bachelor of Science degrees at his two universities of choice, Louka is pleased with his HSC results. “The only thing I was a bit disappointed about was that I had really high Band 5s, just missing out on a Band 6, in three subjects,” he says.

Like so many before him, Louka says “the camps!” when asked about his best memories of Shearwater. “They were just amazing life experiences,” he says. “And at the end of the day, I don’t think I was worse off for missing out on time in the classroom.”

“I did consider going to another school at the end of Year 10. The big thing that kept me here was actually the Vanuatu camp! And also the relationships. I think we have a much tighter-knit class community than a lot of other schools and I really enjoy that. And the relationships with teachers are a lot closer and more personal.”

Louka’s maths teacher through High School, Oren, described the class as “pure joy”. “There was a culture of diligence, hard work, laughter and friendship that deepened and grew,” he said. “By the end of Year 12, the class had achieved the best HSC maths result ever recorded at the School.”

“At Shearwater, you get a lot of education that’s not just in the classroom,” says Louka. “But you can also do really well academically here. If you’re willing to put in the work, you’ll get a lot of support from your teachers.

“I also definitely prefer the smaller class sizes. Most of my classes were around eight people, which, means you get a lot more one-on-one time."

With a well-trod trail between Shearwater and Melbourne, Louka says he’s likely to land in that southern city next year.

“The plan was always to go to Melbourne because that’s where I want to live. From Melbourne Uni you can walk to the MCG! Also Melbourne Uni is the best ranked for Science. But the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies degree at Sydney Uni is also really good, so I still haven’t quite made up my mind."

His sights set on a career as a research scientist, with postgraduate study and possibly a PHD, Louka is nonetheless open to whatever the exciting world of acadademia sends his way. 

“I always thought I was interested in pure maths but there are a lot of new areas in maths that are really interesting. I found out the other day you can do mathematical biology, where they map tumour growth in brains…”

We will be sharing more stories from our Class of 2021 (and other Shearwater alumni) over the year, and we congratulate them all on their achievements, and wish them well on their onward journeys.

The shearwaters gathered and looked to the sky
On hearing their guide in the winds that swept by
They answered as one as their wings stroked the air,
And set out on a journey they all would share.

(From Shearwater’s school song, Shearwater Pacifica)
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​This year, our High School students, from Class 7 to Year 11, will be engaged in a series of wellbeing programs, starting with a Talking Consent Workshop by Jane McGowen in Term 1. 

During the workshop students will be focussing on the understanding, defining, and negotiating of consent. This sensitive information will be delivered in a facilitated environment of cohesion and positivity. The workshop is designed so that young people should feel empowered to seek healthy relationships and look after each other, whilst also understanding and identifying risks. In addition, the aim is for students to become more self-aware so that they may have a sense of preparedness as they grow and change.

The understanding and knowledge provided by Jane's workshop will be utilised consistently and frequently in both Guardian time and the classroom. Jane will also be sharing the program with parents and carers, via a Zoom information session, details of which will be provided.

In Terms 2 to 4, students will be engaging in programs on social interactions and bullying, social media safety and becoming familiar with the law.

Marie Perry
High School Wellbeing Coordinator

Little Shearwater has welcomed many returning and new families for 2022. It has been a joy watching the children take ownership of their very own work space. They have quickly become familiar with the routines and rhythms of the day. They are very involved and engaged in self-initiated free play, which at this age is a large component of the children’s active learning. We are witnessing some wonderful activity and work. 
 
Our Preschool families may have noticed the educators busy in their own work as the children arrive. Young children learn through imitation and need the adults around them to be worthy role models. This is something we take very seriously at Little Shearwater. For it is the thoughts, attitudes, and imagination living in the adult who cares for the children, that lies behind their outer actions. The domestic work, such as gardening, that parents will often see educators engaged in, inspires the children to participate and can help a child settle into their Preschool day, not to mention sparking possibilities for the children’s own work and play.

Ellon Gold
Preschool Director

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The faces of our Primary School's newest arrivals said it all last week as they "crossed the bridge" to big school, filled with a mix of excitement, nerves, pride and anticipation.

After a thanks-giving ceremony in the gunyah, the two classes travelled across the bridge in a Star Canoe, symbolising the threshold between Early Childhood and the formal learning environment of Primary School. Each Class 1 child was met by a student from our graduating class, bearing the gift of a flower and a native seedling, as the children's Kindergarten teachers, Kat and Kara, delivered them into the care of Class 1 teachers Rin and Lisa, to begin their journey together through the Primary School years.