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We’re proud to invest in the future of education, awarding $340,000 in scholarships to seventeen exceptional 2024 HSC graduates from Catholic schools across the Illawarra and Macarthur regions.
Recipients of the ‘Step into Teaching’ scholarship will each receive $20,000 towards their Education degree, part-time employment as a school support officer while studying, and a guaranteed permanent teaching position after graduation. This initiative, now in its fifth year, demonstrates our strong commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier educators.
Ryder Stuart, scholarship recipient and graduate of Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, shared his gratitude: “the Step into Teaching scholarship means so much to me as I work toward becoming a secondary mathematics teacher. It’s not just about financial help, it’s also a huge boost to my confidence and motivation. With this support, I can focus on building my skills and making a real difference for my future students.”
Since its inception in 2020, the Step into Teaching program has supported 91 students, with five graduates from the inaugural cohort commencing their full-time teaching roles this year. This year’s scholarship recipients include:
- Ella Allshorn and Ryder Stuart: Holy Spirit College, Bellambi
- Courtney Marsh: Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats
- Matthew Marning, Alby Ferguson and Samuel Corvalan: Edmund Rice College, West Wollongong
- Charlotte Agnew, Sienna De Battista and Jessica Cole: St Mary Star of the Sea College, Wollongong
- Christina Kelly: St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park
- Laura Rixon and Zach Ritchie: Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan
- Patrick Manny, Isabelle Woods and Owen Place: St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park
- Maddison Konn, Grace O'Reilly (Eileen O’Connor Scholarship Recipient): John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow
"Teachers have a remarkable ability to shape lives. There is no greater privilege than empowering young people and watching them flourish."
Step Up Into Teaching
A further eight promising Year 11 students from our schools are taking a significant “step up” towards their future teaching careers thanks to a unique partnership with the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
Through ACU’s ‘Step Up into Teaching’ program, these students have already completed two units of a first-year teaching degree, giving them a head start on their university journey and valuable insights into the teaching profession. This experience provides automatic admission into an ACU teaching degree in 2026 and significantly reduces their first-year workload.
The CEDoW students participating in this program are:
- Alannah Spooner: Corpus Christi Catholic High School
- Jessica Vida: Magdalene Catholic College
- Claire Small and Samantha Essex: St Benedict’s Catholic College
- Gabeisha Michael: Mount Carmel Catholic College
- Ella Luke, Olivia Sammut, and Syona Miranda: St Francis Catholic College
Explore our scholarships
Our scholarship programs support students to gain university qualifications, empower the ongoing professional learning of our people, and build the capacity of our current and future workforce.
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