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Hosts: Amanda Marshall and Will Massara Guest Host: Emma 🎓 Real talk from a recent Year 12 graduate turned future educator.This week on Podclass, Will and Amanda are joined by Emma—fresh from Year 12 and now studying to become a teacher. With Skye off on parental leave (welcome baby Max!), Emma brings heartfelt honesty, lived experience, and sharp insight to a conversation many educators and families are navigating right now: how do we really support young people through Year 12?From academic pressure to people smarts, COVID impacts to post-exam self-care, this episode unpacks the emotional and practical sides of senior school.When Pressure Meets People Skills“I wasn’t brain smart—I was people smart. But that wasn’t what got celebrated.” – EmmaEmma shares what it felt like to be a highly relational, people-focused student in a system that often rewards academic results over human strengths. Will and Amanda explore the need to rebalance how we measure success, and why relational intelligence is just as vital—especially in teaching.The Cost of Expectations – and the Power of Understanding“You have to get a 90... but what if that’s not your goal?” – EmmaThrough the lens of her own Year 12 journey, Emma reflects on the pressure to “know what you want” and “get the grade”—especially after years of disrupted learning due to COVID. The group discusses how academic expectations, identity development, and burnout collide during Year 12, and how educators can lead with empathy instead of assumption.Support That Actually Works“Some teachers asked ‘Are you okay?’ and meant it. That changed everything.” – EmmaEmma gets specific about what helped: consistent teachers, relational check-ins, real conversations. She also talks about supporting herself—through gym sessions, perspective shifts, and letting go of the pressure to be perfect. Her advice to teachers and parents? Lead with understanding. Remember students are still figuring out who they are—and that’s more important than any exam score.Practical Strategies for EducatorsBe the calm in the storm: Offer consistency in tone, feedback, and presence during Year 12 chaos.Validate every path: Whether aiming for university, TAFE, travel, or a gap year—honour each student’s goals.Prioritise relationships: Genuine “Are you okay?” moments build trust and matter more than perfection.Model balance: Encourage breaks, fun, and downtime. Burnout doesn’t lead to better results.See the whole human: Ask, listen, and respond with curiosity and care—not just academic concern.ConclusionEpisode 47 is a gentle but powerful reminder that supporting Year 12 students isn’t just about helping them revise. It’s about helping them breathe, belong, and believe in themselves—no matter the outcome.🎧 Listen to all episodes: www.ylaaus.com/podclass 📣 Learn more: Youth Engagement Project | YLAA 📸 IG: @podclass.aus