The halls of Admiralty House in Kirribilli hosted a powerful celebration of youth, education, and the future of Australian leadership. The event honoured the achievements of students participating in the Creating Chances, specifically the School-Based Traineeship, Growing Great Teachers, and Football United programs. It was a morning defined by reflection, pride, and a shared vision for a more inclusive and equitable society.
The ceremony, which marked a deep and ongoing partnership between Creating Chances and the NSW Department of Education, highlighted the profound impact of connecting young people with mentorship and hands-on professional experiences.
Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, set the tone for the day, emphasising the transformative nature of Creating Chances’ initiatives. The Governor-General noted that these programs are cultivating more than just future employees; they are nurturing “the next generation of extraordinary young Australian leaders out of the public schools of NSW.”
Creating Chances programs, across such a variety of programs, offer something extraordinary to the students who participate. It builds resilience, it builds skills, it encourages students to believe in themselves and invest in themselves.
For Deputy Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, Deb Summerhayes PSM, the event served as a testament to the power of public education to change lives. She spoke passionately about the importance of opening doors for young people and the responsibility to remove systemic barriers. Summerhayes reflected on her own journey, offering sage advice to the aspiring educators in the room. She challenged the students to not only excel in the classroom but to become active pillars of their school communities, urging them to put their hands up for coaching, extracurricular support, and leadership.
Don't lose sight of your roots, those hopes, those dreams, because they will become your greatest strengths as teachers and educators.
The true heart of the event, however, lay in the personal reflections of the students. Jorjah, a participant in the Growing Great Teachers program, shared how the experience profoundly shaped her aspirations.
This program has shown me that I want to be someone who can inspire students and help them to recognise their own potential. To me, that is what the Growing Great Teachers programme has been all about. It has shown me the kind of teacher, mentor, and support person that I want to be.
Zachary, a First Nations student from the Gamilaraay Nation whose journey brought him full circle back to his own primary school, spoke eloquently about the necessity of cultural respect in education.
Cultural respect and inclusion in my opinion sits at the heart of good teaching. As an Indigenous man sharing my culture is something I carry with pride but learning about others is also something I find just as important. When we respect each other's person, each other's backgrounds regardless of age or experience we create classrooms where everyone can grow and learn with one another.
We are thrilled that students, School Based Trainees, and staff from Miller Technology High School, Peel High School, Lurnea High School, Brewarinna Central School, Wyong High School, Cranebrook High School, Eagle Vale High School, Doonside Technology High School, Jamison High School, Tamworth High School, Gunnedah High School, Northlakes High School, Wadalba Community School, Lake Illawarra High School, and Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts could attend the day to commemorate this special occasion.
This celebration was more than just a graduation; it was a powerful reminder that when we invest in our youth, we are investing in the very fabric of our democracy. As these students move forward into their careers, they carry with them the lessons, the connections, and the unwavering belief that they have the power to create lasting, positive change.
