Kate swaps island life for school in rainforest
Published on 17 February, 2009
CQUniversity graduate Kate Brennan has swapped her early career as an island-hopping hospitality worker for a more family-friendly job at a school set in the far northern rainforests.
She has managed the transition - gaining her teaching qualifications - without having to move to a city with a university campus, thanks to making the most of online studies.
Kate has never met her on-line study buddy Sandra Kinsella, who is from Brisbane, and is sorry to have missed the chance to meet her at graduation.
The 2 women from opposite ends of Queensland share the distinction of being among the first students to complete CQUniversity's Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood) degree externally.
Kate worked on island resorts ranging from Lizard Island to Frazer Island before having her 3 children - now aged 6, 8 and 10.
"After having the children I started work at our local childcare centre where the hours were more manageable," she said.
"I started as a float and studied at the local TAFE where I gained my Certificate III in Children's Services and then my Diploma which led me to become the centre director.
"While I was still in the Pre-School room as group leader I decided that I wanted to become a teacher, and started studying."
Kate said CQUniversity was the only institution she could find that offered on-line study to complete the early childhood degree.
"I have a very supportive husband who took the children for outings when I had assignments to do.
"Since I had 3 little kids, no babysitters and live about 1.5 hours north of Cairns, I needed to be flexible in my study times and couldn't commit to studying on campus.
"My prac and internship was done in a local school. This was great as I got to meet some of the teachers in my area. Now I keep in touch and continue to network with them.
"Most of the teachers at CQUniversity went the extra mile to help us. They would make an effort to contact us regularly, email lessons, set up tele-tutorials, and even allow us to email or ring them at home.
"Two weeks before school started in 2009 I was offered a job teaching at Alexandra Bay State School. This is a beautiful little school set in the rainforest, not far from where I live. I have grades Prep to 3 and only 16 children. I couldn't have asked for a better school to start my teaching career in."
Kate said her family is involved in netball, cricket, football, gym and the fire brigade, so her life is still busy.
"I help out where I can, taking kids to sports, selling raffle tickets and coaching netta," she says.
