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Sesame Lane celebrates two recent graduates from tertiary support program
Freya Lucas
Jul 26, 2024
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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Sesame Lane has celebrated the achievements of two of its Educators, Samantha Shearer and Letitia Clowry (main image), who have graduated from the provider’s popular Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) Scholarship program.
Ms Shearer, Sesame Lane Morayfield’s Service Manager and Ms Clowry, the Kindergarten Teacher from Sesame Lane North Lakes McLennan Court, recently completed their studies through Swinburne University, with full financial support from Sesame Lane’s Bachelor Scholarship program.“The program was really supportive,” Ms Shearer (pictured below) said. “Completing the program and my degree means I can be a more effective Teacher and Leader and advance my career. As a mum with three young children, it meant I graduated with no HECS debt, and I had income coming through the entire time, which was just incredible, it took a huge weight off my shoulders.”
For Ms Clowry, who has been in the ECEC Sector for 16 years, the program made her realise university was an option after all. “I need to keep my knowledge current, and in an evolving world we need to make sure that we're keeping our practices up to date. When Sesame Lane advertised the introduction of the Scholarship program, I applied right away. Being able to go through the Scholarship program meant that there was a network around me and there were always people to lean on.”
The Sesame Lane Scholarship program supports Diploma holders with:
- Full Financial Scholarship - participants do not pay any course fees.
- Flexible study options, allowing participants to continue working while studying.
- Ongoing support from a dedicated Sesame Lane Trainer.
- A strong community network of educators also studying through the program allows participants to learn from each other and lean on one another for support.
- Guaranteed employment at Sesame Lane while studying and upon successful completion of the program.
Sesame Lane’s program currently has 15 participants completing university level qualifications. Prior to being considered for the program applicants need to have completed their Diploma in Early Childhood and show a passion for the sector.
“Each participant represents an investment of typically a minimum of $20,000 per fully funded degree as well as a further $10-$15,000 in salary costs as they complete their practical placement period towards the end of the degree, which can range between 6-12 weeks of full time work at another Kindergarten or Preschool,” Kerri Smith, Head of Sesame Lane said.
This support was welcomed by Ms Shearer, whose life circumstances as a young mother meant that the financial and logistical support of the program made the study experience much more accessible.
Since graduating both Ms Shearer and Ms Clowry have gone from strength to strength, supporting their respective services with the new found knowledge from their degrees.
“It’s really a wonderful additional layer to the wrap-around support we offer to our teams,” Ms Smith said.
For further information about Sesame Lane’s training pathways contact training@sesamelane.com.au
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