DREAMS of a career in teaching are now within reach for two Indigenous students thanks to a More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teachers Initiative Scholarship.
Tarni Davis and Sinead Grehan, who completed Year 12 in 2013, were successful in applying for the MATSITI scholarship, jointly sponsored by Brisbane Catholic Education and the Federal Government.
The aim of the scholarship is to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in BCE schools.
The scholarship entitles the pair to up to $16,000 HECS fee assistance and up to $2000 resources allowance over their four-year course, subject to successful ongoing BCE requirements and completion of their Bachelor of Education degrees.
BCE executive director Pam Betts presented Tarni and Sinead with their scholarships at a whole school celebration at San Sisto College, Carina.
Ms Betts said it was a significant occasion for both girls and an opportunity to celebrate their achievement with their families and their former school communities of San Sisto and Marymount College, Burleigh Waters.
She said throughout the period of their study they will be supported by BCE funded mentors who will provide assistance when necessary.
“I hope that your teaching careers, when they begin, fill you will joy and the certainty that the work in which you are engaged is life giving and will influence the future of many,” she said.
“Know that we at BCE are very proud of you and very keen for other Indigenous students to look to your success and follow in your footsteps.”
During their formal study, the budding teachers are both looking through the lens of teaching through part time roles as school officers.
Tarni said she was excited about receiving the scholarship, as it would help her to get where she wanted to go in the future.
“This will be very beneficial to me,” she said.
“It’s definitely going to help me get my foot in the door.”
Sinead said it was a great opportunity as now she would be able to put 100 per cent of her time and energy into her studies and achieve her goal to become a teacher.
She said her parents, who are both teachers, inspired her to apply for the scholarship.
“I love working with children,” Sinead said.
“I also want to see more indigenous students make it to university and I want to be a good role model for them.”
