One Day More

From Les Miserables

Music by Claude-Michel Schoenberg and English lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer

One day to a new beginning

Raise the flag of freedom high

Every man will be a king

There’s a new world for the winning

There’s a new world to be won

Do you hear the people sing?

My name is Juliet.* I’m 16 years old and in Year 11. The year is 1996. I live in Wollongong with my parents and my younger brother, Hamlet,* who is two years younger than me. We live right next to the university, in the same house I’ve lived in my whole life, which I think is pretty unique. Growing up beside the uni has been great; I spent my childhood riding my bike around the campus and going to the pool. On weekends it’s always quiet, so we can wander round and do our own thing without worrying about crowds.  My mum is a primary school teacher, and my dad recently became a primary school principal after many years working for the Education Department in the office.

I go to Smith’s Hill High School, which is a selective school, so there can be a bit of pressure at times, but I try not to let it bother me. For my HSC, I’m studying Advanced English, Advanced Maths, Modern History, Biology, Travel & Tourism (TAFE) and, of course, my favourite subject: Drama.

Earlier this year, I completed my work experience at Gledswood Homestead because I’m interested in travel and tourism, and Gledswood offers a “fair dinkum Aussie experience” that attracts visitors from all over. I worked in the restaurant and the shop, helped with the damper-making over the fire, and even shadowed the person who oversees the whole venue. It was a fun and interesting week that gave me real insight into what working in the travel industry might be like.

The absolute highlight of school for me is Rock Eisteddfod, an eight-minute dance and drama performance set to music where we compete against other schools in NSW. Last year our theme was Luna Magic, a homage to Luna Park through the decades, and we won the Open Division! I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as when we were up on stage and they announced us as the winners. It’s a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

I’m at the top in this scene from Through the Looking Glass

I’m lucky to have a close group of friends, and we spend a lot of time together having sleepovers, going to the mall, and hanging out at the movies or the beach. I can’t wait to get my L’s, especially because a lot of my friends are already learning to drive and will get their P’s before me, since I’m one of the youngest in my year.

I’m completely obsessed with drama both inside and outside of school, and I compete in Eisteddfods every year. This year, our group performed a play about the wives of Shakespeare, and I even had to kiss a boy on stage. All my friends came to watch and thought it was hilarious.

Dressed for my part in the Princess and the Frog

One of the best things about my life is the holidays we take as a family. We go boating a lot, which I especially enjoy in summer, and we’ve explored some of Australia by car. Recently we travelled to Bali, which was exciting because I got to fly overseas and experience a completely different culture. I know that whatever I do in the future, it will involve a lot of travelling. I’d love to do a working holiday in London one day so I can explore Europe from a close base but still earn those pounds to keep me travelling. My dad did this in the late ‘60s and is always telling us stories about his adventures, which inspires me to create my own.

I’m excited for the future. I’ve got a couple more years of school ahead of me, with fun experiences like the ski trip and Rock Eisteddfod to look forward to, and then it’s on to uni, getting a job and travelling. I can’t wait to see what the next chapter of my life will bring!

• Not their real names