A celebration of completion and commencement of life as a teacher was held at CQU Mackay recently for the freshest batch of learning managers.

With no further assessment items required, 79 students spent the afternoon socialising, celebrating and reminiscing on their years spent at CQU Mackay and in the Mackay education community, where they have learnt how to be the next generation of teachers.

Following a barbecue, the students, their lecturers, staff of CQU Mackay, and education representatives, gathered to listen to some inspirational addresses and presentations from entrepreneurial works completed during recent internships.

Sub-Dean of Arts, Humanities and Education and senior lecturer, Dr Cecily Knight; the Regional Executive Director for Education Queensland, Mackay and Whitsunday Region, Mr Wayne Butler and the Principal of St Francis Xavier Catholic School, Mr Mark Fox all addressed the students with powerful and encouraging words before wishing the students well as future educators.

Dr Cecily Knight focused on the challenges for new teachers and expressed her confidence in their success.

“The BLM requires a new kind of professionalism for pre-service teachers which includes learning to teach in ways they were not taught and building a capacity for change and risk.

"Teachers need to continue to be resilient, to engage in professional learning and teamwork.

"They need to see children as competent and focus on their strengths rather than deficits.

"The focus changes from problems to challenges and possibilities, from attendance to engagement. I have every confidence in the capability of this group of graduates to make a difference both locally and globally,” said Dr Knight.

Photo above: Back Left to right; Casey Davidson, Amy Brownsey, Cassandra Lamb, Chloe Black, Rebecca Brigden; Front Left to Right; Samantha Harvey, Carlie Dicker, Colleen Power and Nicole Phillips celebrated the completion of their 3-year Bachelor of Learning Management degrees last Tuesday at CQU Mackay.

Photo (below): The teachers of our new teachers, lecturer at CQU Robyn Smith, lecturer and Sub-Dean Dr Cecily Knight, Regional Executive Director for Education Queensland, Mackay and Whitsunday Region, Mr Wayne Butler, lecturer Pam Gargett and the Pricipal of St Francis Xavier Catholic School, Mr Mark Fox, all wished CQU Mackay's newest Learning Management students the best in their new roles as teachers.