Five top performing CEDoW school graduates take their first step towards a career in teaching

News | Five top performing CEDoW school graduates take their first step towards a career in teaching

Posted 9 February 2022 by Catholic Education in News

Inspired by their own teachers and knowing what a difference a good teacher can make to the lives of their students, five top performing students from CEDoW Catholic secondary schools in the Illawarra and Macarthur have taken their first step towards a career in teaching. 

Sabine Abou-Fassal, Tasmyn Reynolds, Caitlin Daly, Nyah Riddell and Zoya Huang were officially accepted into the organisation’s Step into Teaching scholarship program by Bishop Brian Mascord, and the Director of Schools, Peter Hill, at a recent COVID-safe ceremony, celebrated by the recipients and their families.   

The scholarship program was introduced in 2020 with the aim of encouraging a greater number of high performing CEDoW secondary school graduates to consider a career in teaching. Now in its second year, the program awarded each recipient with:

  • $20,000 towards the cost of their tertiary studies in primary or secondary education, plus an additional contribution to meet living away from home costs; 

  • the option of part-time employment as a school support officer while they study; and

  • a three year conditionally  permanent teaching  position in a CEDoW school after they graduate.

Director of Schools, Peter Hill, said teachers have a unique opportunity to transform students’ lives.

“Like never before, the young people in our schools need teachers who are women and men of hope, faith and life” - Peter Hill

“The scholarship recipients were each inspired by the teachers in their own classrooms and it gives me great confidence to know that future generations of students will have their lives transformed for the better by Caitlin, Nyah, Tasmyn, Sabine and Zoya.” 

Meet our future teachers

Sabine Abou-Fassal - Bachelor of Mathematics Education at the University of Wollongong. 

(Graduate of Holy Spirit College,  Bellambi)

“This scholarship means a lot of the stress that many students are faced with is reduced for me as I embark on becoming a high school Math teacher.  I can concentrate on my studies without the financial pressure but more importantly, it provides a great network as I adjust to being a tertiary student.” 

Click below to hear Sabine's reflection.

Caitlin Daly - Bachelor of Education (Secondary)  at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney  

(Graduate of Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats)

“The scholarship will allow me to complete my degree in a supportive and driven environment. I am thrilled to be the recipient of such a scholarship, and to be empowered to give back to an education system that has inspired me to become the person I am today.”

Nyah Riddell - Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney  

(Graduate of Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats)

“The Step Into Teaching scholarship is a wonderful initiative that has been extremely successful in assisting aspiring young teachers such as myself in our studies and in gaining employment opportunities both throughout university and upon completion. Receiving this scholarship has already begun to open so many doors for me and my future career and I am so excited to get started. I would recommend anyone with an aspiration to become an educator in a Catholic school to apply.” 

Tasmyn Reynolds - Bachelor of Mathematics Education at the University of Wollongong 

(Graduate of John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow)

“This scholarship isn’t just about the money. The scholarship will ease a lot of pressure on my family and myself going into university. Not only the financial burden but the mental strain is decreased, as I know I have the ongoing support to assist me through any difficulties in the degree."

Click below to hear Tasmyn's reflection.

Zoya Huang - Bachelor of Education (Primary and Special Education) at the Australian Catholic University

(Graduate of Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville)

"As I embark on my career as a teacher, the Step into Teaching scholarship presents an incredible opportunity for me to develop my skills, and meet and learn from individuals who share my passion of teaching." 

Dr. Jan Hutton from the University of Wollongong will continue her involvement with the program this year, as a  mentor, providing additional academic and moral support to the scholarship recipients throughout the course of their studies, nurturing both their teaching abilities and spiritual formation. 

We congratulate our scholarship winners and wish them all the very best as they take their next big step to fulfill their dreams of becoming teachers.


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