Last year I made the move from Primary School to High School when I started Year 7. I have always enjoyed school but I was not ready for the huge jump that high school is and I found myself dreading going to school. I was not used to doing homework (I had come from a ‘no homework’ Primary School), I had no idea what studying was and I was missing all my friends because they went to a different school to me. I had never really had to try too hard at school and always did well and then all of a sudden that wasn’t working anymore and I didn’t know how to fix it. The work ahead of me seemed too much and I didn’t want to face it.

 

I was talking to one of my friends who had finished high school and he gave me some very good advice that switched my way of thinking. It was a real ‘light bulb’ moment and in the second half of last year things weren’t as hard for me. 

 

It got me thinking, surely I’m not the only kid feeling like this, how can I help the kids who are finding high school a hard mountain to climb? Then the idea of a podcast came to mind. How great would it be to be able to share the wisdom of those who have gone through high school, maybe had a hard time, maybe went through some stuff they didn’t like but came out the other end finished school and moved on to the next chapter of their lives.

 

After winning a WA Young Achiever Award and a WA Youth Award last year I decided I would use my prize money on making my podcast happen. 

 

I am very excited to share my podcast ‘Scott’s Great Chat’ with everyone. On it we will chat about things like homework, studying, lockers, catching the bus to and from school, making new friends, boarding school, anxiety, happiness and so much more. 

 

Other kids will share their stories, tips and advice and we will also have some adults on who will reflect back on their high school journey. 

 

In my first episode we also have a bonus chat with Kochie and Mark Beretta from Sunrise, Lynne McGranger from Home and Away and Andrew Denton from “Interview” who visited with me while I was completing my 50km Treadmill Challenge at Telethon in October this year. 

 

If your kids are heading in to high school or if you are a teacher of Year 6’s (or Year 7 and 8’s) I hope this podcast will help them to feel a bit more prepared and not so alone for the journey ahead.

 

My first episode is live and you can listen to it at

https://scotts-great-chat.simplecast.com 

 

It is also available on Spotify as well as the Apple and Google podcast apps, just search Scott’s Great Chat to find it.

 

Many thanks