opportunity to host prac students, they “jumped at it” as a great way to
encourage new teachers to come out west.
▪ Photo contributed
Cobar Public School’s assistant principal Silvana Lennon is one of the success stories to come out of the University of Newcastle’s ‘Beyond The Line’ (BTL) program which encourages teaching students to come and take a look at rural schools.
“About 13 or so years ago, I participated in a BTL program and fell in love with the country, and have loved it ever since,” Mrs Lennon told The Cobar Weekly.
“I recently reached out to the University of Newcastle and learned that they have cut funding to the very popular BTL program, which saw university students come to rural schools to have a look, meet the kids and get a feel for life in the country.
“The loss of this program is large, but we hope continuing to host more practicum students will help put Cobar on the map for new teachers,” she said.
With the impact of COVID, Mrs Lennon said it’s been a while since the school has had the pleasure of hosting practicum students, so when they were recently given the opportunity to host some students, they jumped at it!
“I’m so happy to be welcoming them back to our town and school.
“We hope this will encourage new teachers to come ‘out west’,” Mrs Lennon said.
CPS is currently hosting 23 year old Bonnie O’Brien from Terrigal on the Central Coast.
“Bonnie will be working and learning alongside Miss Emily Campbell in a Year 3/4 class, and has already made some positive relationships within our school and community,” Mrs Lennon said.
Bonnie is in her third year of study of a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Newcastle.
“I feel very lucky and thankful to be a part of the Cobar Public School community,” Bonnie said.
“I look forward to getting to know everybody and making some memories.”
