Aspire to Teach
Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns continues to encourage secondary students to consider a career in teaching through the Aspire to Teach program.
Now in its seventh year, the program works in partnership with James Cook University and forms part of our commitment to address the national teacher shortage at a local level.
Insight into university life
The 2026 cohort of Aspire to Teach students from St Andrews Catholic College, Redlynch and St Monica’s College, Cairns gained a taste of life as university students when they recently took part in the on-campus experience at James Cook University.
The day, led by JCU lecturers and our CEDC scholarship students, Meena Riber, Marlon Bellaro and Willow Cole, who are currently studying education at the University, was the culminating event of CEDC’s Semester 1 Aspire to Teach program.
The program sees Year 10 students spending a semester undertaking a range of both theoretical and practical activities to gain insights and experience into teaching as a career.
“In addition to the university experience, a highlight for participating students are the hands-on sessions in primary classrooms when they build relationships with their younger colleagues and support their learning activities,” said Jo Martin, School Performance Team.
“Both St Monica’s and St Andrew’s have offered the program for a number of years now with continuing high levels of student involvement.”
Future proofing the Far North
In collaboration with the school-based teachers who deliver the program, CEDC is continually looking to extend and improve Aspire to Teach to ensure this a truly enriching and meaningful for both secondary and primary students as well as support ongoing quality teachers.
CEDC is appreciative of schools’ and JCU’s participation and collaboration on the program and look forward to more CEDC students and schools signing up for the Semester 2 offering.
