Alumni Spotlight: Brianna Young – Class of 2021
- Mercy Stories
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Since graduating from Our Lady of Mercy College in 2021, Brianna has embraced every opportunity with confidence and a willingness to keep learning. Now completing a Bachelor of Secondary Education, she is preparing to begin her career as a secondary teacher, inspired by the educators who helped shape her own journey.
Looking back, Brianna reflects on the lessons she learnt at Mercy, the memories she'll always treasure, and why life after school is more about embracing the unexpected than having everything planned out.
What are you doing now? Tell us about your job or studies and your journey since graduating.
Since graduating from Mercy, I have been studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in Health and Physical Education and minoring in Science. Throughout my degree, I have completed numerous teaching placements in both metropolitan and country schools, which have strengthened my passion for education. I am currently preparing for my final professional placement in the Wheatbelt and could not be more excited to start my teaching career. Outside of study, I am passionate about playing team sports, spending quality time with family and friends and prioritising health and wellbeing.
Since leaving school, I’ve realised it’s less about having everything figured out and more about how you handle things when they don’t go to plan.
How did your time at Our Lady of Mercy College shape your career or studies? Were there any teachers, subjects or programs that inspired you?
My time at Mercy helped me develop confidence, resilience and a strong work ethic. I was very fortunate to have several teachers who genuinely shaped who I am today and played a big role in shaping my path after school. Mr McKenzie’s high expectations consistently encouraged me to strive to be the best version of myself, both in and beyond the classroom. Mrs Cronin’s unwavering dedication to our year group fostered a strong sense of care, support and belonging that has stayed with me and helped shape the kind of person I want to be.
Mrs Gann’s PE Studies classroom highlighted the importance of creating a safe and welcoming learning environment where students feel appreciated and supported. Mrs English (Miss Barton) and Mrs Pere’s passion for health, wellbeing and outdoor education sparked my own interest in HPE, showing me how meaningful and engaging learning in this area can be and inspiring me to follow this pathway. Being surrounded by such dedicated role models demonstrated the powerful impact teachers can have on young people’s lives.
What is a memorable moment from your time at Our Lady of Mercy College?
It’s hard to choose just one favourite memory because there are honestly so many from my time at Mercy. The camps and outdoor ed experiences were always a highlight, especially Year 10 Explorus and the Surf and Kayak Camps, where everything that could go wrong usually did – but that’s what made them so funny and memorable. From hilarious kayak moments and “lost-in-the-bush” commentary, to people ending up in the water when they definitely didn’t plan to, those trips were full of laughs and chaos in the best way.
Some of the funniest everyday memories came from the classroom and school life too – things like our ongoing (and absolutely frowned upon) Mario obsession in Year 9, random classroom moments that escalated quickly, and the kinds of things that still get talked about years later. Even the smaller things, like teachers mixing up names or unexpected classroom moments, added to the experience and made school life feel real and memorable.
Year 7 stands out as the year everyone was still finding their feet, Year 8 was probably the one we all laugh about now as the “low point” and Year 10 was definitely one of the best years where everyone really came together and got closer. The senior years, especially Year 12, were really special too – from the ball and retreat to all the lead-up to finishing school and just enjoying being with everyone before it all ended. What I remember most isn’t just the big events, but all the funny, chaotic and random moments in between that made Mercy such a memorable place to be.
What lessons or values from your time at the College do you still carry with you?
Mercy gave me the space to figure out what I was interested in and learn a lot about myself along the way. It wasn’t about having everything planned out; it was about trying different subjects, getting involved in different opportunities, making mistakes and learning as I went. The main things I’ve carried forward are simple: treating people with kindness, staying resilient when things get tough and backing myself more over time.
Since leaving school, I’ve realised it’s less about having everything figured out and more about how you handle things when they don’t go to plan. A lot of what I use now in everyday life has come from just getting out there and figuring it out step by step.
If you could give advice to a student at Our Lady of Mercy College about preparing for life after high school, what would it be?
Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out straight away. It’s okay if your path changes or takes time to become clear. Be open to new opportunities, even the ones that feel unfamiliar or outside your comfort zone, as these are often the experiences that help you grow the most.
Work hard, stay curious and make the most of the opportunities you’re given at school, both inside and outside the classroom. The skills you develop at school, like communication, organisation, resilience and teamwork, are just as important as academic results and will stay with you well beyond school. Most importantly, trust yourself and your journey, and remember that things often fall into place over time, with experience and with a willingness to give things a go.
What has been the biggest challenge since leaving school and how have you handled it?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing university, work, placements and personal commitments. It has often meant managing competing deadlines and responsibilities, pushing me to become more organised and intentional in how I use my time. A really important part of how I’ve handled this is learning to ask for help and support when I need it, rather than trying to manage everything on my own. That’s made a big difference in managing stress and staying on top of everything. Alongside this, I’ve also learnt that prioritising my own wellbeing is essential. Taking time to rest, reset and step back when needed has helped me stay balanced, more focused and capable when things get busy.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I plan to work as a secondary teacher, continue to grow my professional toolkit, build my teaching confidence and make a positive impact on students’ lives. I want to keep developing as an educator who can support, challenge and connect with young people in meaningful ways. Outside of work, I’d like to travel around the globe, experiencing different cultures and ways of life, while also taking time to grow personally and enjoy new experiences.
We wish Brianna all the best for the future.
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