Rebekah has a passion for teaching

Coffs Harbour student Rebekah Ward’s passion is to become an inspiring teacher, and now with the help of a Southern Cross University scholarship, she’s on her way to achieving her ambition.

A talented musician, Rebekah completed Year 12 at Coffs Harbour Christian Community School, achieving an ATAR of 90.6. She has been awarded a Southern Cross University Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship and has just started a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at the Coffs Harbour campus. She received her scholarship at a ceremony today (Tuesday, March 11).

“All through school I had some really great teachers. I am really passionate about teaching and being able to help kids right at the very beginning. You can’t let people go through as teachers who don’t care about the kids,” Rebekah said.

She said there were two sides to the current debate over the standard of students undertaking education degrees.

“I think having a high standard is really important, but at the same time, a high mark doesn’t always guarantee a good teacher. It’s really important that you have a passion for teaching.”

Rebekah said she was happy to be able to complete her degree while living at home in Coffs Harbour.

“I chose to go to SCU in Coffs Harbour. I can stay at home and they had the course I wanted to do. To get the scholarship is a bonus. It’s not just the financial support, it also makes you feel rewarded for all the hard work you’ve put in at school. I was really happy.”

Rebekah is one of 92 new and ongoing scholarship recipients, awarded through the University’s Rising Stars Scholarship program. The scholarships, worth more than $374,000, are supported by the University and 49 donors including individuals, businesses and community groups and trusts. Scholarships and prizes vary in value from $500 to $12,000.

Scholarships and prizes are being awarded at ceremonies at each of the University’s three campuses. The Coffs Harbour ceremony will be followed by the Gold Coast on March 18 and Lismore on March 21.

New scholarships being awarded this year include: Jim Dickinson Environmental Science Scholarship; John Dowd Law Honours Scholarship; Kennelly Constructions Aboriginal Engineering Scholarship; and the Louise Morgan Head-Start Scholarship.

For details about the Rising Stars Scholarship program go to scu.edu.au/scholarships
scu.edu.au/scholarships

Photo: Rising Stars Scholarship recipients at the Coffs Harbour ceremony.