Year 12 Exhibitions - Term 4 2024 (Part 2)
Celebrating Arron’s Inspiring Journey Through His Year 12 Exhibition
Arron’s incredible journey at Silkwood began in pre-Prep, with a unique path that saw him home-schooled between Years 5 and 9 before returning in Year 10. Since then, his passion for exploring diverse interests has been a shining example of what The Silkwood Way is all about.
In Year 10, Arron discovered an interest in funeral and mortuary work. He reached out to Artisan Funerals and secured a rare internship opportunity. His responsibilities ranged from preparing bodies for funeral or cremation, meeting with grieving families, assisting with funeral services, to maintaining service cars and performing various administrative tasks. Through this experience, Arron gained a deep respect for the care and empathy required in this field, embodying the belief that, "It matters to people to see their loved ones one last time, as they remember them."
After a semester in this role, Arron was offered a traineeship but chose to continue exploring other passions.
Next, Arron turned his attention to doll restoration, immersing himself in the intricate art of repairing and restoring vintage dolls. He developed skills in colour theory, material assessment, and mastering delicate techniques—all while enhancing his fine motor skills and attention to detail.
By Year 11, Arron had set his sights on the body piercing industry. He undertook extensive research into the best metals for quick-healing piercings, the history and cultural significance of piercing, and the ethical considerations in client-piercer interactions. He even explored how to design jewellery stacks and calculated the costs of starting his own piercing business. To further his ambitions, Arron completed a TAFE course on infection prevention for skin penetration treatments.
Another of Arron’s passions has been cosplay, which has allowed him to channel his creativity and develop skills in costume design, special effects makeup, and wig styling. Through cosplay, Arron has also honed his time management, organisation, and social skills, building meaningful connections with a community of like-minded individuals.
Arron’s love for performance runs deep—since primary school, he has been involved in dance and musical theatre, performing at eisteddfods, and joining Spotlight Theatre and The Farm's Greenhouse performance group. These experiences have given him the freedom to express himself, explore taboo topics, and challenge societal boundaries through dance.
Arron also gives back to his Hungarian community by helping his father prepare traditional meals at the Hungarian Senior Citizens Club in Broadbeach, where he also supports the club’s online presence by managing its Facebook page.
For his Senior Thesis Project, Arron researched the alternative fashion industry, analysing market trends and case studies from brands like Dangerfield and Off ya Tree. He applied this knowledge to create a polished graduate portfolio and website, showcasing his skills in SEO and fashion marketing. This reflects his exceptional work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for learning.
Currently, Arron is employed at Dangerfield and completing a makeup artistry course at the Australian Beauty School. His dream is to begin an apprenticeship in body piercing and one day open his own studio.
Congratulations to Arron on his impressive and diverse body of work! A huge thank you to advisors Rachel and Kat for their guidance and support throughout his learning journey.
#SilkwoodWay #PersonalInterestLearning #AlternativeFashion #BodyPiercing #CosplayCommunity #TheatreArts #InnovativeLearning
Year 12 Exhibitions: Vegas' Stylish Journey
It would be hard to find anyone with more style and flair than Vegas! His sharp eye for design and quality has led him on an incredible journey through graphic design, marketing, property styling, and real estate.
During his internship at Yakk, Vegas handled a diverse portfolio of clients, including Biocycle, Solis Estudio, Utask Print, Vensure, Spruces, and SmilePass. The standout project for him was the design of Eight-fifty Espresso, Yakk owner Broden’s own coffee brand. Vegas collaborated with the team on everything from packaging design and marketing to helping with the interior design of the café itself, which now sits below Yakk's offices—what an achievement!
His interest in design extended into his studies at Bond University, where he completed a Student for a Semester course in graphic design. Here, Vegas honed his skills in social media and marketing, creating his own mini-magazine, Metaphor, and learning how to build a comprehensive brand guide.
Vegas’ passion for real estate soon took over, and he completed a master class on the rental market, property trends, and the home-buying process. For his Senior Thesis Project, he explored how graphic design influences real estate sales, testing different brochure designs for a dream property. He even surveyed Silkwood staff to get feedback on the most effective design, and his research into virtual tours and 3D renderings showed his commitment to staying at the forefront of this growing field. Throughout this project, Vegas showed his love for the balance between design and functionality.
With a goal of entering the real estate world, Vegas shadowed mentors Luke and Majeedah at Ray White. He thrived in the fast-paced environment and was fascinated by the legalities surrounding real estate. Now, his next step is obtaining his real estate licence, setting him on a path toward a future in property sales.
A truly independent and driven individual, Vegas has balanced work and study for years, earning certifications such as his Barista course, Hospitality Cert III, Forklift license, and RSA along the way.
For his social action project, Vegas led a Clean Up Australia Day beach clean-up and contributed to Silkwood’s Year 12 mural project, collaborating with artist-in-residence Alison Mooney. His activism through art addressed critical social issues like youth mental health, global warming, homelessness, and education reform.
As he looks ahead, Vegas plans to secure his real estate license and dive into the industry, with possible studies in art, graphic design, business marketing, or even architecture on the horizon. Whatever path he chooses, Vegas’ determination and distinct style will ensure his success.
Well done, Vegas, and a big thank you to Scott and Steff for their support throughout his learning journey.
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #GraphicDesign #RealEstateDreams #PropertyStyling #SocialAction #CleanUpAustralia #FutureVision
Year 12 Exhibitions: Tom’s Culinary Journey
Tom has been quietly turning his passion for cooking into a career, and his journey is nothing short of inspiring. His initial goal was simple—he wanted to learn how to cook before leaving school. But once he began his Certificate II in Cookery, Tom quickly fell in love with the culinary arts. His TAFE teacher recognised his dedication and recommended him for a position at The Star Casino. Now, Tom is not only working there but also studying for his Certificate III in Cookery and has been offered an apprenticeship.
In addition to his work at The Star, Tom completed a Barista course to further strengthen his hospitality skills. He has also compiled a set of recipes that he reviews and practises regularly to hone his craft. When one of his managers suggested that to become a great chef he needed to improve his communication skills, Tom embraced the challenge. He pushed himself out of his comfort zone, joining STEM group projects to build a bridge and a boat, and took part in a group social action project to run a video game competition that raised money for autism. This required him to communicate effectively with his team and manage interactions with students in the competition, creating rules and ensuring fair play.
Tom’s interests extend beyond the kitchen. He completed an internship at Gold Coast Computer Centre, where he worked on building a PC, and he spent Years 11 and 12 writing a novella called A Depth of Ties. This fantasy story, inspired by his friend Yash’s game project, explores a hero’s quest filled with mythical creatures and transformations, as the main character reinvents himself at every stage of the adventure.
On the Year 12 Uluru trip, Tom stepped up as the ‘unofficial head chef,’ preparing meals that left everyone impressed. His advisory group’s nights in the kitchen were some of the best-catered camp experiences ever.
Looking ahead, Tom plans to travel as a chef, exploring and learning about different cuisines from around the world. One day, he hopes to return home and open a restaurant chain that reflects the diverse flavours and techniques he’s gathered from his travels. With much of his Certificate already completed through prior learning credits and on-the-job training from his apprenticeship, Tom is well on his way to achieving his dreams.
Congratulations, Tom, and a huge thank you to Scott, Tai, and Jake for supporting him on this journey.
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #CulinaryJourney #FutureChef #WorldCuisines #Apprenticeship #STEMSkills #CreativeWriting #SocialAction
Year 12 Exhibitions: Eleah’s Journey of Art, Science, and Animal Care
Eleah is a clever, creative, and compassionate young person who has explored art, science, and social equity throughout her learning journey at Silkwood. From Year 7, Eleah’s projects have demonstrated her deep interests in both the arts and the sciences. She started by building an art portfolio, with a focus on neurology, human and animal anatomy, which became the foundation for her detailed sketches.
Her love for animals led her to enroll in a Certificate II in Animal Care, where she developed a particular interest in the mental health of those working with animals, after learning about the high suicide rates among veterinarians. To further expand her skills, Eleah also completed First Aid, Barista training, and an infection management course, allowing her to work in a hospital environment.
Taking her passion for animals into the community, Eleah volunteered at the Animal Welfare League. She performed so well that the manager sent a letter of commendation to Silkwood’s Executive Principal, Terry O’Hanlon-Rose. This experience culminated in a social action project where Eleah and a peer reviewed wildlife road signs, proposing new, more effective designs. The project included designing and conducting a survey to understand the psychology behind what influences driver behaviour.
For her Senior Thesis Project, Eleah combined her new interest in learning Auslan with her passion for animal care. She explored how the animal care industry could better accommodate the deaf and mute communities. Her research included the history of sign language, workplace practices, technology solutions, and visual safety cues that could support both employees and customers with hearing impairments. Eleah also created online guides to help apply Auslan in veterinary clinic settings and recommended awareness training for employees to improve communication and inclusivity.
Eleah also played a key role in the Year 12 mural project, working with artist-in-residence Alison Mooney to suggest the theme “School of Fish.” This mural symbolised Year 12 students swimming towards graduation, and it tied into class research on marine conservation, education reform, and the mental health challenges faced by young people.
A thoughtful contributor to her school community, Eleah was also part of the design team whose winning artwork was featured on the Senior School hoodies for Silkwood’s new Robina Campus in 2022.
Looking ahead, Eleah has been accepted into the brand-new Bachelor of Veterinary Technology program at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus. She is considering taking a gap year before pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinary nurse and may also apply to Griffith University and the University of Queensland.
Congratulations, Eleah! We are incredibly proud of all you have achieved. A special thank you to Rachel, Tai, and Steff for their support throughout her learning journey.
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #AnimalCare #SocialAction #Auslan #VeterinaryTechnology #CreativeLearning #FutureVet
Year 12 Exhibitions: Ysabella’s Journey Towards Real Estate, Business, and Beyond
We might need to get Ysabella’s autograph before she graduates and heads off to bigger things! Ysabella joined us in Year 7 with an interest in law and sustainability. After exploring the legal field through interviews with lawyers, she decided it wasn’t her path and shifted her focus to designing her own sustainable fashion brand.
In Year 10, Ysabella pursued her growing interest in business by undertaking a Certificate III in Business with her aunty at PRD Real Estate. She spent one day a week in the office, learning the ropes of administration, and later shadowed her aunty at open homes. When her aunty moved to One Agency, Ysabella followed, discovering a side of real estate that she truly connected with—community partnerships. She assisted in organising a “Christmas in July” event, complete with a kids’ disco, face painting, and local performers, all to raise funds for breast cancer through donations from local businesses. Her dedication and growing passion for real estate led her to attend the prestigious Kollosche Ball, a highlight of her journey.
Ysabella’s connection with the industry deepened as she realised how much she enjoyed understanding the stories of buyers and sellers, and the importance of meeting their unique needs. She began managing her aunty’s Instagram account and is now planning to get her real estate licence. For her Senior Project, Ysabella focused on real estate trends and the impact of changes like longer settlement periods and interstate migration from NSW and VIC.
In a full-circle moment, Ysabella completed a Bond University Student for a Semester course in Business Law, this time with a focus on practical law as it relates to real estate. She attended university lectures, participated in group assignments, and researched the NSW Fast Track Law to address the housing crisis—opening her eyes to university as a possible future pathway.
Outside of her studies, Ysabella has embraced another exciting venture: modelling. What started as a side hustle promoting products at her part-time job quickly turned into a serious pursuit. She has worked with brands like City Beach, Amoroso, and White Fox, even flying to Sydney for a professional shoot with White Fox, where she met and stayed in contact with the brand’s founder. Now mentored by Miss Australia winner Zoe Creed, Ysabella is gearing up to represent Queensland in Miss Australia 2025. While travelling for the competition, she plans to complete her real estate licence online, blending her two passions.
Ysabella’s strong communication skills and thoughtful approach to her personal brand are setting her up for success in whatever path she chooses. She is driven to contribute positively to her community, pursue her dreams, and have fun along the way—whether in real estate, modelling, or even sustainable fashion.
The possibilities are endless, and we can’t wait to see where Ysabella takes her talents next. Congratulations, Ysabella, and a big thank you to Scott and Nicola for their support on her journey!
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #RealEstate #BusinessLaw #ModellingCareer #MissAustralia2025 #CommunityPartnerships #FuturePathways
Year 12 Exhibitions: Savannah’s Journey of Exploration and Growth
Savannah's love for learning had always been strong, but she found herself losing that passion in a traditional school setting. When she joined Silkwood in Year 11, she rediscovered her enthusiasm and began an incredible journey of self-exploration.
Initially interested in psychology, Savannah enrolled in a University Headstart course, only to find that it wasn’t quite what she had expected. This experience highlights why we encourage students to explore different pathways while still at school—discovering what works for them before committing to a career path. At the same time, she dove into a metaphysics project, quickly realising she had overcommitted, a valuable lesson that led her to develop essential self-management tools for navigating the freedom of self-paced learning.
Savannah’s interests continued to evolve as she explored architecture, design, and sustainability, taking a Masterclass with renowned architect Frank Gehry. As part of this project, she studied the intersection of art and architecture, expanding her creative and critical thinking.
In Year 11, Savannah also picked up a new hobby—crocheting. After creating a dress for her mum, she decided to keep crochet as a creative outlet rather than a career. However, she applied these skills to her social action project by crocheting socks for homeless shelters, inspired by conversations with her manager about the rising cost of living.
Her Senior Thesis initially focused on the impact of fast fashion on people and the planet, a project connected to her crochet work. But by Year 12, Savannah realised her true goal was to live and study in Germany, where she has extended family. She shifted her project to focus on strategies and tools for learning a new language, specifically German. Using apps like Babbel and Duolingo, Savannah not only worked on mastering the language but also explored the psychology behind language acquisition, gaining insight into her own learning style along the way.
Her interest in Germany went beyond the language—Savannah also delved into German history and culture, creating a travel brochure and a feature article on post-war national identity, using primary sources and personal anecdotes to enrich her research.
For her outlearning, Savannah completed a Barista course and earned a Certificate III in Business while working at Event Cinemas, which she describes as a highlight of her personal and professional growth. She also attended a philosophy short course at Bond University, participated in "Reading for Social Change," and took part in a creative writing workshop with author Will Kostakis during Book Week.
Looking ahead, Savannah plans to work in 2025 to save money for university. She has set her sights on starting with a Bachelor of Communication at Griffith University, with the goal of moving into journalism and eventually transferring to the University of Hamburg.
In just two short years, Savannah has packed in a journey of exploration and self-discovery, achieving skills that many students spend years developing. We couldn’t be prouder of her remarkable growth and resilience.
Well done, Savannah, and a special thank you to Steff for all the support!
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #ExplorationAndDiscovery #LanguageLearning #Sustainability #CreativeLearning #FutureJournalist
Year 12 Exhibitions: Randall’s Journey Through Music and Art
It’s no surprise to learn that Randall’s lifelong passion for music began early. As a child, he would sit by the radio, captivated by the sounds, and early photos of him with drumsticks and guitars show how deeply music has been a part of his life.
Fast forward to Year 10, Randall joined the Silkwood community at the end of Term 3. At the time, he was into skating, and the school’s community became a place where he could face life’s challenges with support. Music and art naturally flowed from his interests, and Silkwood’s little recording studio became his creative haven. As he experimented with music, he developed a strong interest in composition, leading to his ambitious Senior Project: creating an album.
Randall put in countless hours working through chat forums, downloading and sampling wav. files, and ensuring his work respected copyright laws while striving for high-quality sound. He learned to use tools like the Launchkey MIDI, Focusrite audio interface, and Ableton Live, mastering these through a series of online classes.
He also shadowed Liam Kriz in audio music production and assisted in primary school music classes with Dean, who helped Randall identify his next steps in developing his skills. This hard work resulted in an album with 8 tracks, each one carefully analysed in his online portfolio. He documented the strengths and areas for improvement in each track, showcasing his growth throughout the project.
In addition to his music, Randall worked on an evocative art collection for his exhibition and explored pottery as a way to unwind. He also brought leadership and discipline from his time in the Army Cadets, where he earned “above standard” and “excellent standard” grades in the Corporal Leadership and Instructor Course. Randall played a key role in helping set up the Senior recording studio alongside Melanie Creamer, Paddy, Charlotte, Kai, and Josh Emerton.
Despite only being with us for a short time, Randall has packed so much into his two years at Silkwood, and we are excited to see where he takes his talents next. He plans to pursue internships in the audio industry and use his portfolio to apply for SAE’s Bachelor of Audio Engineering and Sound Production, aiming to work as a freelance audio engineer after graduation.
We’re incredibly proud of you, Randall! A big thank you to Steff for supporting Randall’s journey.
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #MusicProduction #ArtAndCreativity #AudioEngineering #FutureFreelancer #CreativeJourney
Year 12 Exhibitions: Eden Donaldson’s Adventure in Outdoor Education and Community Leadership
Eden ‘Donno’ Donaldson has been a part of our school community since his early days in playgroup, and throughout his journey, he has become a valued and kind-hearted adventurer, contributing greatly to both Silkwood and the wider community. It was clear from the start that Eden would thrive in the great outdoors, and once he began internships at Tallebudgera Outdoor Recreation Centre and Bornhoffen PCYC, his path was set. Eden quickly became a respected member of the outdoor education industry, earning a traineeship with Bornhoffen, where they created a new role just for him—Leadership Development Support Facilitator.
Eden's passion for outdoor education began early in high school when he completed a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation and volunteered at Numinbah Environmental Education Centre. He then went on to achieve a Certificate IV in Outdoor Education and Leadership and became a valuable teaching assistant in our primary and middle schools, particularly helping to run sporting events, carnivals, and traditional Indigenous games.
Eden’s community spirit is undeniable. He has won the Anzac Award and Nerang RSL Bursary for his dedication to community service and leadership. He served as a student leader for the Year 12 Uluru camp and has volunteered for numerous school events, tree plantings, beach clean-ups, and fundraisers. Recently, Eden and his team helped raise over $2000 for Livin at a men’s mental health day in Brisbane, contributing to a total of $33,000. He has also been instrumental in maintaining Silkwood’s native garden and front entrance green wall, projects he helped establish alongside alumnus Sofia.
Academically, Eden has excelled. He completed the Southern Cross University Scholars Program and was awarded direct entry into a Bachelor of Education, along with a $10,000 scholarship. With a passion for making education more engaging, Eden spent Year 11 analysing field experiences to identify the key ingredients of successful and exciting educational programs. He even created science lesson plans and an information report on the surf breaks of the Gold Coast.
For his Senior Project, Eden developed a comprehensive Year 5 unit plan incorporating best practices in outdoor education. Although he wasn’t able to deliver the full unit as planned, he adapted it to teach HPE, cleverly incorporating current events like the Paris Olympics. He also modified part of his unit for a Percy Jackson-themed Book Day activity, showcasing his creativity and adaptability.
The education system is crying out for motivated, fun, and dedicated teachers like Eden. We know he will excel in his Bachelor of Education (Secondary Earth and Environmental Science) and look forward to seeing him inspire future generations. While he studies, Eden will work as a teacher aide and continue supporting PCYC on school camps. His future goals include exploring teaching opportunities in remote locations across Australia.
Thank you to Nikki, Steff, Tai, Kat, Kalindi, Andre at PCYC Bornhoffen, and all the PS/MS advisors who have mentored and supported Eden on his incredible journey.
Congratulations, Eden—we’re so proud of you!
#SilkwoodWay #Year12Exhibition #OutdoorEducation #CommunityLeadership #FutureEducator #EnvironmentalScience #MakingADifference