An interview with Ms Keira Sloane

(CGS 2020 – FORMER BOARDER & RECIPIENT OF INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIPS PROGRAMME)

HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE TRANSITION FROM CGS TO LIFE OUTSIDE OF HIGH SCHOOL? WHAT ARE YOU UP TO THESE DAYS?

Nervous at first, I was unsure what to expect from university or from moving to another city. The break between the end of high school and the start of university was spent mostly at home at the coast. Being a boarder, it was hard to leave school and my friends and be sent back home. Once university started, I was excited to see some school friends again. Overall, the transition and move were smooth, and I had nothing really to worry about! These days I’m at the Women’s College at the University of Sydney and studying at the University of Technology Sydney. I’m still playing all the sports I can. I was a part of the UTS Indigenous Nationals team and played in Newcastle over a few days. I play Oztag for UTS and I was in the UTS Uni Nationals rugby 7s team.

WHAT SORT OF CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES DID YOU UNDERTAKE WHILE AT CGS? HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THESE?

At CGS, I played rugby union and had the pleasure of being the Captain of Rugby. I also played div 1 basketball for the Weston Creek club for a summer season sport. I loved both opportunities, and sport has been an outlet for me. The rugby girls and community are my favourite times to look back on, and I loved all the time I spent with everyone. Those girls, coaches and families made my time at CGS the best it could be, and I look back on all of it fondly.

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING AND HOW DID YOUR TIME AT CGS INFLUENCE YOUR CHOICES?

I’m currently doing a double degree in Law and Communications at the University of Technology Sydney. My communications major is Social and Political Science. During my HSC, I studied legal and Aboriginal studies, which heavily influenced me to choose my degree. I loved both subjects and found my passion for Indigenous justice, and I hope to impact the space with my degree.

HOW HAS THE INDIGENOUS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME BEEN HELPFUL TO YOU IN YOUR STUDIES AND LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL?

I feel like I owe everything to the Indigenous Scholarship Programme. Without it, I would not be where I am today. I’m very grateful for all the staff, students and community members who made my time on the programme the best it could be. The opportunity was a once in a lifetime thing and equipped me with the tools to succeed in life beyond high school. The programme encouraged growth and confidence, and these things helped me achieve my academic goals and led me to my degree and career path.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A YEAR 11 WHO IS ABOUT TO GO INTO THEIR FINAL YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL?

Enjoy your last year of high school! It can be overwhelming getting caught up in study, exams and assessments, but looking back, my favourite memories are always times I spent with my friends in the boarding house and school events. Take advantage of doing things for the last time, swimming carnivals, athletics carnivals etc. You’ll appreciate those times in the future. It will all go so quickly, and before you know it, you’ll be sitting your final exams and be fast approaching your final school events. High school is a unique experience that you can’t replicate, and I’d encourage you to take every opportunity you can while it’s still there. Furthermore, CGS does a fantastic job setting you up for university, and you have nothing to worry about.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE ANY FOND MEMORIES? WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN ABOUT YOUR TIME HERE?

The most fun part about my time at CGS was the boarding house. It became my second home and Ms Hunter became our boarding mum. I have so many memories inside the walls of the boarding house, and I’ll never forget the experience. I’ve made lifelong friends and had some of the most fun in our common rooms and dining hall. I’d like to thank Ms Hunter, Mr Downey, Mr Waser and Mr Brown and all the boarding tutors again for making my time absolutely amazing. One of my fondest memories is the Saturday mornings spent getting ready for rugby games with the girls, having the boarding house drive us and support us and then coming back to watch the rest of the games for the day. This happened every week during the rugby season, rain or shine. I also look back on my time in Jones House fondly and although we were not known for winning everything, our community was amazing, and the people made Jones and its culture.