Depending on your school, you may receive some senior privileges in Term 4 (once the current Year 12s have graduated), at the beginning of Year 11 and in most cases, at the start of Year 12. What are senior privileges exactly? Are they really this big thing that everyone makes it out to be? Read this guide and see for yourself
1. Senior uniform (Year 11 and 12)
Most schools provide a new set senior uniform for Year 11 and 12 and other just simply have a senior blazer. If you’re lucky enough, you maybe allowed to wear your senior uniform in Term 4. You’ll find that people take you more seriously once you’re in your new set of uniform.
2. “Exclusive” senior sitting area (Year 11 and 12)
If your school happens to combine junior and senior school, you’ll find that the juniors and seniors have their own sitting areas during recess and lunch time. A huge difference I found was that there were no teachers looking over the senior area. Seems great right? No more teachers. No more annoying juniors. Just a free space for all the seniors.
3. Grabbing lunch outside school grounds (Year 12, depends on the school for Year 11)
Probably the most well known senior privilege- mostly practiced in Year 12. You finally have freedom to buy lunch outside your school! No more buying food from your school’s canteen. Goodbye $4 toasties!
4. Study periods (Year 11 and 12)
Unlike your junior years, the school has finally granted you study periods! Study periods are just essentially free periods where you study, do your homework and catch up on assignments. If you’re lucky, the supervising teacher can help you (bonus points if they’re your actual teacher for one of your subjects) Lesson 1 and last lesson study periods means that you can come in late and leave school early, which I will discuss in my next point.
5. Empty Lesson 1/Last Period (Year 12)
If your school allows it, you may arrive at school late if you have lesson one off- or if you’re lucky, you also have lesson two off. You may also leave school early if you have your last lesson as a study period.
6. Exam periods (Year 11 and 12)
The great thing about being a senior student is that you don’t have to force yourself to go to school on days where you don’t have an exam! You can just simply chill at home- though this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t study for your other exams! Use this flexibility to expand your study schedule.
7. Year 12 Common Room (Year 12)
The good ol’ common room. The place where you can FINALLY heat up your food in a microwave. Chill on the sofas during lunch. And basically have a rave before classes start.
8. Year 12 Jersey (Year 12)
You finally have the option to wear a comfy jersey at school- perfect especially for winter terms! Choose your jersey name wisely.
@Everyone: Feel free to add more senior privileges in this compilation