By The Elm Journalism Club
Published in Student Reflections • Academic Year 2026–2027
Welcome to the very first feature of our new Elm Student Blog! Powered by the Journalism Club, this space is dedicated to capturing the authentic voices, stories, and experiences of students across our campuses.
To kick off our launch, we walked around campus to answer one key question: What are Elm students really feeling as we step into the 2026–2027 academic year?
From nervous excitement to unexpected calm, here is what our learners had to say about their expectations, workloads, and aspirations for the year ahead.
The Freshmen Focus: Adapting to the Year 9 Shift
For our new secondary students, stepping into Year 9 comes with both excitement and a noticeable step-up in academic rigor.
One Year 9 student shared a perspective that echoed throughout his entire cohort:
“I’m hoping that my friends and I can adjust quickly—or at least get used to this sudden turn in our academics.”
With the transition into secondary coursework underway, many Year 9s noted the sudden increase in their daily workload. Rather than backing down, however, students are already stepping up by creating their own personalized study timetables and daily schedules to manage the challenge head-on.
The Year 10 Stance: Confidence vs. Strategy
Moving over to Year 10, the atmosphere shifts noticeably. Having successfully navigated their first year of high school, a large majority of the cohort appears relaxed and composed. Many feel they “have it in the bag” and argue that staying calm is better than overworking themselves early on.
However, not everyone shares this easygoing view. One Year 10 student stood out from the crowd, offering a sharper perspective:
“This year is actually the most crucial overall. My peers and I need to stay focused now so we aren’t overwhelmed by the upcoming workload later.”
The Year 11 Mystery: Seeking Calm in the Storm
Perhaps the most intriguing responses came from our Year 11 students. Standing on the doorstep of major international examinations, one would expect high stress. Instead, several students expressed a surprising wish for a “smooth and calm year”—an ironic hope given the intense preparation ahead, but a testament to their desire for focus under pressure.
Looking Ahead
From the ambitious plans of Year 9 to the strategic calm of Years 10 and 11, the campus is buzzing with distinct perspectives. While expectations vary from grade to grade, one thing is certain: Elm students are actively thinking about their growth, tackling new challenges, and setting the tone for a remarkable year.
Stay tuned to the Journalism Club blog for more student interviews, campus highlights, and exclusive feature stories throughout the term!
