Shine Magazine, Issue 1, February 2010 - Department of Education ...

ResearchRising above the parent trapphoto by Drew wardCompleting Vce is a challenge for every student – let alonethose who have a young child of their own … or three.surprise. It felt really good – I’m not aperson who likes the limelight. My dadtook me to the awards night and he wasreally proud of me. I know my parentshave been disappointed in me in thepast but I feel as though I’m making upfor it now.How has YPAP helped yourchildren?One of the best things is that the childcare centre is close by so I can visit mykids during the day. I was still feeding mydaughter when I started this year. Gypsistarted at child care full-time in Term 4and Rydah started going to child care fulltimeat the start of second semester.Kim Butcher is 27 years old. Sheleft school halfway through Year 12,nine years ago. Kim re-engaged withschooling by joining the Young ParentsAccess Program (YPAP) at Corio BaySenior College in 2009 where she willcomplete her VCE over three years. Shehas three children: Lynkon, 6, Rydah,3, and Gypsi, 16 months. Last year, Kimstudied Psychology, Health and HumanDevelopment, English and Media.What drew you to the Young ParentsAccess Program at Corio Bay?I belonged to a young mothers group aspart of the CREATE (Geelong) program.Lorraine from YPAP came to speak to thegroup and it sounded like a good idea,because I am interested in becoming amidwife, and knew I needed to continuemy education. I left school halfwaythrough Year 12 because I didn’t see it asbeing important. I slept in a lot and didn’ttake it seriously. I was shy and didn’t askthe questions I should have. I had alwaysstruggled and couldn’t comprehendwhat school was all about.What have you learnt as a result?The most important thing I have learnedfrom YPAP is to believe in myself. Iknow now that if I put the effort in I willsucceed. I have also learned ICT skills.Because I had been out of school for nineyears, my ICT skills were out-of-date.Tell us about your recentachievementsAt the awards night this week I waspresented with two awards – the InsightEnglish Award and the Norman BendersCitizen’s Award. I knew I was going toget one award but the other one was aWhat were the challenges?The biggest challenge was organisingthree children so I could get to school ontime every morning! Having to balancelife, kids and homework isn’t easy, andnot having a supportive partner at homedoesn’t help … but the workers at YPAPhave given me such great support: they’vebeen wonderful.“I know my parentshave been disappointedin me in the past butI feel as though I’mmaking up for it now.”What opportunities have openedup for you?Next year I will study General MathsUnits 1 and 2, Health and HumanDevelopment Units 3 and 4 and EnglishUnits 3 and 4. I will also do VET in childcare services which will involve workexperience at a day care centre. Before,school was for social contact with myfriends: now I know learning is thepathway to my future. I want to go touniversity to study nursing. SShine Feb 2010 25