Five Top Performing Macarthur Catholic School Graduates Awarded Scholarship

Five dedicated students, from Catholic secondary schools across the Macarthur region, will take their first step towards fulfilling a career in teaching, receiving a $20,000 scholarship from Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW) last month.

The Step into Teaching scholarship program was introduced in 2020 to encourage more high performing CEDoW secondary school graduates to consider a career in teaching. Now in its third year, the program will award five 2022 HSC graduates each with:

• $20,000 towards the cost of their tertiary studies in primary or secondary education

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

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

The worthy recipients are:

• Antonius Siutz - Magdalene Catholic College graduate, will study a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at the AustralianCatholic University (ACU)

• Paula Zaballero - Mount Carmel Catholic College Varroville, graduate, will study a Bachelor of Education (Primary andSpecial Education) at Notre Dame

• Abbey Newtown - St Benedict’s Catholic College graduate, will study a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at ACU

• Rainer Smith - John Therry Catholic College Rosemeadow graduate, will study a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) University of N.S.W

• Courtney Marek - Magdalene Catholic College graduate, will study a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at ACU.

Recipient Courtney Marek believes the scholarship will open many pathways into her teaching career. “This scholarship is going to be an amazing opportunity, and I am looking forward to being supported throughout my studies, as well as being able to develop skills and experience that will allow me to be a better teacher."

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

“Teachers make positive and meaningful differences every day—educating, supporting and inspiring the children and young people in their classrooms, on sports fields, and everywhere by offering the great gift that is learning,” he said. “The scholarship recipients have each been inspired by the teachers in their lives, and it gives me great confidence to know that future generations of students will have their lives transformed for the better by the likes of Abbey, Paula, Courtney, Antonius and Rainer.” r Step into Teaching recipients | Image/Article: Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW)