Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns

Queensland, Australia

(07) 4050 9700
  • Home
  • About
    • Catholic Education in the Cairns Diocese
    • The Catholic School Difference
    • History
    • Bishop’s Message
    • Executive Director’s Welcome
    • Reconciliation
    • Vision, Logo and Motto
    • Strategic Directions
    • Church Structure and Governance
    • Catholic Education Services
    • Funding
    • Policies, Directives and Guidelines
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Conduct, Complaints & Grievances
    • Safeguarding Children
    • Links
  • Our Schools
    • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
    • Newman Catholic College
    • Outside School Hours Care
    • 2021 School Annual Reports
  • Enrolling
    • Mythbusting FAQs
    • Who can Enrol?
    • Apply to Enrol
    • Fees and Discounts
    • Starting Prep
    • Early Learning & Care
  • Your Education
    • Religious Education
    • Curriculum
    • Contemporary Learning
    • Assessment and Reporting
    • Languages
    • Vocational Education & Training (VET)
    • Diverse Learners
      • Enrolment Support and Transitions
      • Students with Disability – Education Adjustment Program
      • Planning for Students
      • Specialist & Support Services
        • Cairns Catholic and Independent Schools Therapy (ACCIST)
      • Therapy and Disability Awareness
      • Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)
      • Gifted and Talented
      • English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D)
    • International Education
    • First Nations Peoples
    • Resource Centre
    • Continuity of Learning
  • Our School Communities
    • School Boards and P&F Executives
      • Constitutions
      • Formation Readings
      • The modern Catholic school
      • Formation Videos
      • Code of Ethics
      • Templates
      • Grants
      • Prayers for Meetings
    • Information for Parents
      • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
      • Scholarships and Bursaries
      • School Transport Assistance
      • Student Care Insurance
    • The Reading Room
      • Raise Magazine
      • Links to best practice in parent engagement
      • Student Health and Wellbeing
        • A modern Catholic guide to the mass media
      • Ideas for the modern Catholic school
      • Inclusive Education
    • Parent Engagement
      • Parent Involvement at School
      • School boards and P&Fs
      • Parent engagement in student learning at home
      • Getting ready for Prep
      • Volunteer Training
    • Catholic Faith Perspectives
      • The modern Catholic school and religious education
      • Information for non-Catholics
      • Reflections on Faith and the Catholic School
        • Readings and commentary
        • Prayers and Reflections
          • Prayers and Reflections 2021
          • Prayers and Reflections 2020
        • Pope Francis
    • Education Updates
  • Careers
  • News & Events
    • Media & Communications
    • Critical Incidents & School Closures
    • Coronavirus COVID-19
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Archived Updates and Advices
      • Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
    • Raise Magazine
    • Latest News
    • Catholic Education Week
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Details
    • How to make a complaint
Home > Latest News > Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 
post

Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 

10/02/2023 By Stephanie Meekings

Cairns Catholic Education is aiming to future-proof the teaching industry in the Cairns region with 17 local students receiving 2023 Education Scholarships.

Cairns Catholic Education is committed to attracting, developing and retaining graduate teachers in our region, according to Cairns Catholic Education Services Director of Workforce Capability Marissa Clark. 

“We could foresee a national teacher shortage based on a combination of increasing retirement rates and a growing student population, which led us to introduce our Education Scholarships,” explained Ms Clark. 

“Our Year 12 Scholarships are a way of encouraging students in our Catholic colleges to pursue a teaching career here in Cairns, while our Final Year Education Scholarships are part of our commitment to attract, develop and retain graduate teachers in the region while supporting our local universities.”  

Cairns Catholic Education Services Director of Workforce Capability, Marissa Clark, with the 2023 Scholarship recipients.

Recipients of the 2023 Year 12 Education Scholarships and Final Year Education Scholarships were celebrated at a Scholarship Award Celebration with key stakeholders, including representatives from JCU, CQU and Cairns Catholic Education.  

“This year we awarded nine Year 12 graduates from our Catholic colleges the Year 12 Education Scholarships. The Scholarship includes payment of all HECS fees for four years, as well as mentoring and guaranteed employment as a teacher within the Cairns Diocese,” said Ms Clark. 

“The eight Final Year Scholarship recipients from JCU and CQU each received $1000, potential placement in a Catholic school, and professional development sessions throughout the year as part of our ‘Getting Ready for Employment’ program.” 

The 2023 Final Year Scholarship recipients receive $1000 and potential placement in a Cairns Catholic school.

For Year 12 Education Scholarship recipient, Ethan Woodbridge, and Final Year Education Scholarship recipient, Anneliese Powell, it was the combination of their own experiences in Catholic education as well as role models in their schools that led them to this career path. 

“When I was in high school, I had a beautiful home room teacher and she was just absolutely brilliant and everything I wanted to be,” said Anneliese, whose mother also works in Catholic education. “It was fantastic to have her as a role model and she encouraged me to apply and follow this career path.” 

For Ethan, some influential teachers at St Mary’s Catholic College, including three standout male teachers, inspired him to apply for the scholarship and pursue teaching as a career. 

“I wanted to become a teacher because of some teachers I had who influenced me in a way that I saw what I could bring to the teaching profession. They also recognised a lot in me, so I decided to pursue it,” said Ethan. “It’s easy to apply for the scholarship online and there are people willing to support you through the process, plus it’s a great career.” 

The scholarships will provide invaluable experience and help ease the financial pressure for the 17 aspiring teachers. 

“The scholarship will allow me to have a lot less stress in my university journey and allow me to focus on my studies and becoming a better teacher,” said Ethan, who will receive a HECS-free degree as part of his scholarship. 

While former St Mary’s student Anneliese has used her $1000 scholarship money to purchase textbooks for her final year of her degree at CQU, as well as purchasing extra educational resources to use on placement. 

“I’m doing my placement at St Michael’s, which has been absolutely amazing. I’m also currently working at St Therese’s as a Teacher Aide and I feel really lucky to have been working there for the past two years.” 

2023 Year 12 Scholarship recipients receive a HECS-free degree, mentoring and guaranteed employment as a teacher within the Cairns Diocese.

Graduate teachers in the Cairns Diocese have an attractive starting salary of more than $78,000, with roles in rural and remote areas attracting additional allowances. 

“There has never been a better time to consider a career in teaching,” said Ms Clark. “There is a high demand for teachers, support through scholarship opportunities and plenty of incredible career opportunities right here in our region.” 

The complete list of 2023 Scholarship recipients are as follows:

Year 12 scholarship recipients
April Hainsworth (JCU, BEd, Early Childhood)
Madison Jones (JCU, BEd, Secondary – English/Biology)
Liam Kingston (JCU, BEd, Secondary – Maths/Science)
Lisa Krause (JCU, BEd, Primary)
Kelsey Orchard (JCU, BEd, Primary)
Ella Sheppard (JCU, BEd, Primary)
Ethan Woodbridge (JCU, BEd, Secondary – History/Geography)
Paige Woods (JCU, BEd, Primary)
Zoe Curcuruto (CCU, BEd, Secondary – HPE/Biology)

Final Year Scholarship recipients 2023
Angelique Breakspear (JCU, BEd, Secondary – English/Science)
Gabrielle House (JCU, BEd, Secondary – English/History)
Shenika McDowell (JCU, BEd, Primary)
Ashleigh Fahlstrom (CQU, BEd, Primary)
Tanya Mills (CQU, Masters of Teaching, Primary)
Anneliese Powell (CQU, BEd, Primary)
Renay Reddicliffe (CQU, BEd, Primary)
Julie Schep (CQU, BEd, Early Childhood)

Follow the links to find out more about Cairns Catholic Education Scholarships and Employment Opportunities in the Cairns Diocese.  

Back

Filed Under: Latest News Tagged With: cairns, catholic, Catholic School, CQU, Graduate, JCU, Job, Scholarship, University

Latest News

  • Record enrolments for Cairns Catholic schools
  • Principal Profile: Narelle Hunt, Mount St Bernard College, Herberton
  • Future-Proofing Teaching in the Far North 
  • Stage Two of State-of-the-Art Catholic College Underway
  • Staff Spotlight: Shana Backshall on Changing Careers
  • CES Farewells Lifelong Contributor
  • Principal Profile: Ruth Mallon, Mother of Good Counsel School, North Cairns
  • Novel Idea: Students Share Love of Books
  • Staff Spotlight: Shannon Grantley, Highly Accomplished Teacher
  • Principal Profile: Glen Seivers, St Augustine’s College, Parramatta Park
Policies Safeguarding Children Conduct, Complaints & Grievances

Enrolling

  • The Catholic School Difference
  • Our Schools
  • Search Catholic Schools in the Cairns Region
  • Who can Enrol?
  • Apply to Enrol
  • Fees and Discounts
  • Scholarships and Bursaries

For Parents

  • Term Dates and Pupil-Free Days
  • Parent Engagement
  • School Boards and P&F Executives
  • The Reading Room
  • Critical Incidents & School Closures
  • School Transport Assistance
  • Student Care Insurance
  • Federation of Parents & Friends Associations
  • Cairns Diocesan P&F Council

Quick Links

  • Links
  • Resource Centre

Staff Links

  • Staff Portal
  • Staff Email
  • School CMS
  • Help Desk
NCSS
  • Aboriginal Flag
  • Torres Strait flag
  • We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.

Copyright © 2023 Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns | Log in | Copyright | Privacy | Web Disclaimer | Conditions of Use

Join Us!

(07) 4050 9700