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"I felt safe to explore who I was at Yarra which helped me become the person I am today.鈥�

Izzy Burns arrived at Yarra in Year 7 determined to take advantage of every opportunity that came her way.

She threw herself into her academic studies and took on as many extra-curricular activities as she could fit into her week, too 鈥� from volleyball and athletics to music and drama.

But in Year 8 she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and life took an unexpected turn.

鈥淚 had an identity based around doing everything, and suddenly I could no longer do most of those activities, which really challenged me and impacted my mental health. But I had a lot of wonderful people around me at Yarra. My teachers genuinely cared and did whatever they could to help me do my best, which helped me feel that I mattered,鈥� she says.

Despite facing physical and mental health challenges, Izzy鈥檚 years at Yarra were still filled with good friendships and discovering new interests.
Izzy enjoyed Saturday morning sport, learned to play the oboe and was House Captain for Arnott. She also discovered her passion for Community Links, volunteering and helping others.

鈥淚 definitely wasn鈥檛 a Maths and Science girl and I had a passion for Drama and Music, but I was a bit lost initially in finding what I most enjoyed academically. I tried Journalism and History and discovered Health Sciences in Year 10. That was exciting because it was a subject that had real world relevance. When I learn something that I can apply, that engages me,鈥� she says.

After leaving Yarra, Izzy did an Arts degree and discovered Psychology. She is working her way towards a psychology career and currently works with the Starlight Children鈥檚 Foundation. She is part of an online support program helping young people with chronic physical and mental illnesses.

鈥淚鈥檓 finishing my undergrad Psychology degree and have applied for fourth year programs. I鈥檓 passionate about mental health and wellbeing and I鈥檓 excited to have more clarity about how I can apply these passions in the real world, which reflects where I am in my journey. I鈥檓 finally able to use my experiences to help others, which brings me a lot of joy鈥� she says.

Izzy instantly recalls the school motto. 鈥淚 interpret it as being about opportunities and looking around you at all the different things you can do and be. It鈥檚 important to always be open to new experiences and learning, and to never stop growing as a person鈥� she says.

鈥淚 also think it鈥檚 important to back yourself 鈥� that was a piece of advice given to me by my old CEO. You are in control of validating your ideas, your worth and yourself 鈥� nobody else will do it for you, and this is something I鈥檓 really working on.鈥�