From passion to profession
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GOTAFE and La Trobe University collaborated for the Shepparton Open Day on August 24, aimed at assisting students in exploring future career paths.
Hosted at GOTAFE’s Fryers St campus, the event featured both in-person and online study options, along with hands-on workshops.
Attendees, including school-leavers and those seeking career changes, engaged directly with educators and current students.
The event also included activities such as a handball competition organised by the Goulburn Valley Football Netball League.
La Trobe is currently upgrading facilities to enhance its offerings in nursing, teaching and business.
Prospective students can apply on site for the Aspire Early Entry Program, with a chance to win La Trobe merchandise.
Pam Pogue’s retirement marks end of an era
Pam Pogue retired after 36 years at Goulburn Valley Grammar School, where she served as the director of development.
Before joining GVGS, she worked in various local schools, including part-time roles while raising her children.
At GVGS, she focused on fundraising, marketing and fostering community involvement, enjoying the collaboration with volunteers.
Though she cherished her time at the school, she believed it was the right moment to step down, ensuring a smooth transition for her successor.
After retirement, Pam planned to embrace home life, join the Shepparton Golf Club and spend more time with her five grandchildren, three of whom attended GVGS.
Her enduring connection to the school continued through her family ties.
Rural to urban — and back again
Annie Holt returned to her home town after years of studying in Melbourne, where she had moved to attend Monash University.
Initially overwhelmed and lonely, she faced a stark contrast between her rural upbringing and the bustling city life.
Despite the excitement of new opportunities, she began to feel a disconnect from her roots, struggling with the pull of two lives: one filled with city adventures and the other tied to family and farm work.
As time passed, she missed the daily interactions with her family, especially her grandparents, and felt the weight of missed moments.
However, she also formed a new ‘family’ among friends in Melbourne, creating a supportive community.
Annie recognised the importance of maintaining her connection to her home town while navigating her new life, cherishing both experiences but longing for the familiarity of the land and relationships she left behind.
Shepparton education and teacher shortages
Sam Wooster spent a year as a casual relief teacher at Greater Shepparton Secondary College, witnessing first-hand the challenges posed by the national teacher shortage.
After relocating to the Mornington Peninsula to be closer to family, he reflected on his experiences, noting the significant impact of the shortage on students.
He emphasised that frequent changes in teachers led to instability, affecting students’ education.
Mr Wooster argued that incentives for teachers and a cultural shift recognising their value were essential solutions.
Initially promised housing, he ended up staying in a local motel, highlighting the need for better support for new staff.
With over 980 teaching positions available in Victoria, including 27 in Greater Shepparton, he noted the government’s investment in workforce initiatives.
Despite the challenges, he praised the resilience of the students and the community, celebrating Shepparton’s sense of belonging and diversity within the school.
He expressed a strong connection to the students, appreciating their intelligence and potential.
Victorian education inquiry
The Victorian Government launched an investigation into state education, led by the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee, with online submissions open until October 2023 and statewide public hearings held earlier in the year.
The inquiry examined issues within Victorian public schools, including disparities in student outcomes due to geography and socio-economic factors, teacher shortages and mental health challenges among students.
Key concerns raised included high absenteeism rates, particularly at Benalla P-12 College, and the impact of teacher shortages on student assessments and reporting.
Submissions also highlighted the need for accessible education in disadvantaged areas such as Greater Shepparton and called for the reinstatement of Mooroopna Secondary College to expand educational options.
The committee presented its report to parliament in October 2024.
HECS debt
Sian Lewis, who graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts and a post-graduate diploma, faces a HECS loan debt that has grown from $35,000 to $40,000 due to indexation.
Despite now working as a librarian, she described the stress of watching her debt increase, which was unexpected based on initial information about HECS repayment timelines.
Her HECS debt impacts her ability to obtain a home loan, as lenders consider it an expense that reduces borrowing power.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare recently proposed capping HECS indexation to either the Consumer Price Index or Wage Price Index, whichever is lower, to reduce debt growth.
While this offers some relief, Lewis and others feel it may not be enough, expressing that education should be a fundamental right and debt-free.
A full-circle moment
At St Mel’s Primary School in Shepparton, six former students have returned as staff, including Prep teacher Alexa Mori, who attended the school from 2004 to 2010.
Ms Mori now team-teaches with her former Year 4 teacher, Wendy Baldwin, creating a full-circle moment.
Ms Baldwin, a 23-year veteran at St Mel’s, shared her pride in seeing Ms Mori grow from a “smart yet quiet” student into a confident teacher.
Their collaboration allows them to work closely, sharing teaching duties while fostering a supportive environment.
Other returning staff include principal Steve Hicks, learning support officer Cindy Lombardozzi, and teachers Lauren Calder and Cath Basile.
For Ms Mori, coming back feels familiar and welcoming, a testament to the strong community spirit at St Mel’s.
Rural pathway to medicine
Ella Sprunt, a former student from Goulburn Valley, found a promising opportunity in the Melbourne Medical School’s Rural Pathway for its Doctor of Medicine program, designed for training in rural Victoria.
With Ella initially doubting her potential to pursue medicine, the program’s introduction made her dream attainable.
Eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 5.0, an undergraduate degree and a background of rural residency.
Ella chose the La Trobe pathway, gaining access to advanced clinical skills facilities in Shepparton.
She appreciates the close-knit support from staff, which enhances her learning experience compared to urban counterparts.
Engaging actively in her placements at GV Health, she values the hands-on training and personal mentorship from medical professionals.
Committed to her community, Ella aims to continue her medical career in a rural setting, emphasising the unique advantages of studying and practising medicine outside urban environments.
Ready to swing into Prep
Five-year-old Evanie Hoge eagerly anticipated her first day of Prep at St Mary’s Primary School in Mooroopna, joining hundreds of other new students in Greater Shepparton.
Excited about school, Evanie looked forward to playground activities such as swinging and sliding, along with classroom favourites, including counting, maths, and arts and crafts.
She carefully planned her first school lunches, opting for ham sandwiches, grapes and mandarins.
According to her mother, Natalie Hoge, Evanie had been enthusiastic about wearing her school uniform since October, occasionally trying it on at home.
Ms Hoge expected no separation issues, saying Evanie would happily wave goodbye without hesitation, while her dad, Darcy, might shed a tear of pride.
Although St Mary’s Prep students have Wednesdays off for six weeks, Ms Hoge predicted Evanie would still want to go.
Shepparton Education Plan
Following a campaign to reopen Mooroopna Secondary College, The News provided insights into the Shepparton Education Plan, a $140 million initiative addressing educational challenges across Greater Shepparton.
This plan, initiated by the Victorian Department of Education, consolidates Shepparton’s four secondary schools to improve attendance, high-school completion rates and employment pathways.
Before the merger, three schools had over 60 per cent of students in the lowest 25 per cent of academic performance statewide.
Department data suggests improvements since the merger, with rising ATAR scores and better subject performance.
However, the community-driven ‘COOL campaign’, led by Dr Lea Campbell, emphasises the importance of a local high school for Mooroopna, both as an educational hub and economic driver.
Supported by local groups, residents continue to advocate for reopening Mooroopna Secondary College, with plans to present their case at the State Education Inquiry.
Shepp News