CLASS OF 2024 SPOTLIGHT -Sienna O'Connor

“My experiences at Mater helped shape me into a more resilient, empathetic, and driven person. I am grateful for the way that my schooling shaped me.”

Sienna was actively involved in school sports and was known for her enthusiasm and positive approach. She was Middle School Lyons House Captain in Year 9 and Senior Lyons House Captain in Year 12,and she always embraced her leadership roles with dedication.

Sienna’s resilience was put to the test in Year 12 in more ways than one. In April of that year, she suffered a severe ankle injury, which put a halt to her greatest passion and outlet—competitive gymnastics. Yet, she managed to find the positives in the situation and focus on what she could do rather than what she couldn’t. She maintained a modified training regime to stay fit and focused on her studies.

“This was one of the hardest parts of my Year 12 journey, and I had to work even harder to ensure I was doing well mentally and physically. And in the end, training less meant I had more time to study and take time for myself.”

Sienna attributes her success in VCE to hard work, good time management, and a strong support network. She focused on being consistent with her studies and sought help whenever needed.

“Balance was also one of the most vital things. Staying on top of my studies, working a casual job, keeping up with my gymnastics training, and socialising with my friends throughout the year helped me avoid burnout.”

 Adopting a flexible approach to study worked best for Sienna, given her external commitments, but ensured she covered every subject each week. Along with flashcards and mind maps, Sienna says completing and marking her practice exams and then asking teachers to check her marking was the most helpful method she found to consolidate her knowledge and maximise her potential for full marks.

“I would like to acknowledge every single one of my teachers who went above and beyond to help me through this year. They all helped us stay positive and be proud of our results no matter what.

I would also like to thank my parents for always believing in me and helping me manage my stress; my friends who inspired me to keep working hard; and my gymnastics coaches and team who made such a difference in my VCE journey.”

Sienna encourages all students embarking on their Year 12 journey in 2025 to try as hard as possible.  

“Talk to teachers, get advice, work with your friends and put in the effort. Year 12 is one of the hardest years but can also be the most rewarding.”

In 2025, Sienna began a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Monash University. She plans to become a physiotherapist working in the sporting industry.

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