SWAN Hill Specialist School has welcomed two new graduate teachers to the team this year.
The two local graduate teachers fast-tracked their careers after obtaining Permission to Teach positions.
These positions are granted to applicants undertaking their final year of a teaching degree and aim to address the workforce shortage within Victoria.
Narelle Rush and Rylah Sherlock have settled into their new roles and enjoy working at the specialist school.
Ms Rush was a familiar face around the school grounds, having completed a stint at the school in Term 4, under a Permission to Teach position.
Having since graduated, Ms Rush said she was grateful she was able to return to the school.
“There was no other choice for me,” she said.
“I always knew this was the place and my dream was to return to teach here one day.”
Ms Sherlock previously worked in learning support roles at both Swan Hill Specialist School and St Mary MacKillop College, prior to completing a stint under Permission to Teach at Tooleybuc.
“It is simply great,” Ms Sherlock said.
“I love coming to work every day.”
SHSS principal Jodi Walters said given the current shortage of teachers, the school felt privileged to welcome the duo to the school.
She said both graduates had settled in well and were valued team members.
“Their rooms are delightful and they show teaching ability above their experience levels,” Ms Walters said.
She said the workforce shortage was impacting many local schools and SHSS was working with Country Education Partnership through meetings with the Department of Education to try and find short and long-term solutions.
“We are grateful for the resilience of our staff who continued to fill the gaps where possible,” Ms Walters said.
“Teaching is a great career, hard work, but worth every moment.”
