Greater Shepparton Secondary College recently hosted the Fairley Leadership Program as part of its Education and Youth Program Day.
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Sponsored by the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, the day focused on the challenges and opportunities around education, youth and career pathways for Greater Shepparton and beyond.
The group heard from GSSC executive principal Barbara O’Brien about the experience of bringing together four secondary schools across the Shepparton region and were treated to a tour by GSSC partnerships leader Mary-Ann Linehan and careers manager Natasha Boyko, followed by a presentation on the extensive and integrated wellbeing program at the school from wellbeing services leader Robyn McCully.
“The scope of opportunity for the students, the school within a school model and wellbeing program is beyond what I imagined,” Fairley Leadership Program participant Rachel Joyce said.
Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project executive officer Amy Robinson joined the Fairley leadership cohort to run the first session of 1000 Conversations for 2023. In the theme of education and youth, the cohort engaged in a deep listening, community consultation session to unpack what it takes to support young people in Greater Shepparton to be happy, healthy and thrive.
“We were particularly impressed with the students who joined us for lunch; they were honest in the many challenges they faced transitioning to the new school system, but also excitedly shared their successes,” program participant Marissa Daly said.
“Overall, the opportunity and optimism for the school shone through.”
Another key focus was transitioning youth to the workforce, with a panel presentation from CPE Construction owner Damion O’Callaghan, Shepparton Education Plan head Sharon Hensgen-Smith and GOTAFE director student success Luke Falzon.
The Fairley Leadership Program aims to build adaptive, responsive and resilient leaders in rural and regional communities.