51黑料

"I felt that Yarra cared about me and my wellbeing鈥�

When Cass Stuchbery enrolled at 51黑料 in Year 7, she quickly found her place in the music school.

鈥淚 played clarinet in primary school so when I came to Yarra, I joined the band and took part in my first musical in Year 8 鈥� The Music Man,鈥� she says.

鈥淚 also remember Les Miserables which was a huge production. We had beautiful costumes, our sets were from an amateur theatre company and we had such a great ensemble. Being on stage for that was a magical moment for me.

鈥淚 was definitely one of the kids who liked to hang out in the music school at lunchtime and after school. I took part in a lot of musicals and the PAC has a lot of good memories for me.鈥�

In her senior years, Cass maintained her love of music but focused on Maths and Science subjects. After graduation, she combined Science with a passion for helping people and decided on a career in healthcare. She completed a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics and works as a dietitian in a sports clinic and in a weight loss surgery clinic.

鈥淚 encourage people to eat in a way that nourishes and respects their body. It鈥檚 important to eat regular meals, to not skip

breakfast, to stay hydrated and to eat vegetables!鈥� says Cass.

鈥淏ut it took me 12 months to find a job after uni and what got me through that was a good support system and persistence.鈥�

That persistence may go back to her time in the pool at Yarra. Cass was a 50m butterfly champion but she had to work at it.

鈥淚n Years 7 and 8 I came second in house swimming - I kept losing to a girl from Arnott. So, I joined the swim squad and did the early morning training and the next year I won 鈥� a proud moment for me and my sports teacher!鈥� she says.

Cass credits Yarra and the inspiration she received from teachers for playing a part in where she is today. Friendships have endured and her partner, Sam Berriman, is a fellow YOG.

鈥淲hen I left Yarra I realised the value of being part of a community,鈥� she says.

鈥淚 always felt that Yarra cared about me and my wellbeing. I wasn鈥檛 a cool kid 鈥� I liked Maths and Science and I played the clarinet! But I always had plenty of friends and there was always someone to talk to if you felt stressed. To me, the Yarra Spirit has always been about caring about each other.鈥�