Narratives

In Big Picture Learning, narratives are written reflections that document my learning, growth and development over time. Rather than only focusing on grades or completed work, narratives explain how I approached my learning, the skills I developed, the challenges I faced, the feedback I received and how my thinking changed throughout a project or experience. They demonstrate my ability to reflect critically on my own progress, recognise areas for improvement and connect my learning to my interests and future goals.

I have included my narratives in this portfolio because they provide universities with evidence of how I learn, not just what I have completed. They demonstrate skills such as independent learning, research, communication, problem-solving, resilience, time management, responding to feedback and taking responsibility for my own education. Together, they show my development as a learner throughout Big Picture and provide a deeper understanding of the experiences and skills behind the work presented in my portfolio.

Moving Forward: Finding My Independence

This narrative reflects on my transition from Big Picture high school to Big Picture college and how the experiences I went through during this time helped me grow. It explores some of my different projects, my outlearning experiences, volleyball, hearing-related experiences and the challenges of becoming more independent at college. It also reflects on my interest in mental health, healthcare and helping others, as well as the resilience I developed while dealing with a long-term ear infection and other challenges. Overall, this narrative is about growth, independence, resilience and continuing to move forward even when things become difficult.

Finding where I belong

This narrative reflects on my growth throughout Semester 2 and the sense of belonging I have found within Big Picture. It explores my accessibility project comparing Australia and the UK, my exhibition experience, outlearning in the UK and aged care, and how I have become more organised, independent and confident in managing my own learning. It also looks ahead to my Year 12 project, where I began developing the idea of creating a resource to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing people using my own experiences. Overall, this narrative is about belonging, independence, personal growth and discovering how my interests and experiences can shape what I want to do in the future.

I'm more capable than I thought

This narrative reflects on my Semester 1 journey through Year 12 and the challenges, changes and achievements I experienced along the way. It focuses on developing my Hear Beyond Words resource kit and my domestic violence social action project, including how both projects changed from my original plans. It also explores the moments where I doubted whether I could manage such large projects and how planning, support and persistence helped me keep moving forward. Overall, this narrative demonstrates my growth, resilience and realisation that I am capable of much more than I initially thought.

My Big Picture Journey at Canberra College

This narrative reflects on my journey through Big Picture Learning, from starting in Year 9 at Melrose High School to continuing at Canberra College in Years 11 and 12. It explores how Big Picture gave me more independence and allowed me to create projects around topics that genuinely interested me, including domestic violence, trauma in first responders, Deaf accessibility and Hear Beyond Words. It also reflects on the skills I have developed through these projects, including research, communication, academic writing and project management. Overall, this narrative shows how much I have grown as a learner and how Big Picture has helped prepare me for university and my future.