A Word from Shannon

Hi, my name is Shannon Smith. I started working at Jumbunna when I was taken on as a School Based Trainee in 2013, I was in year 11. Whilst studying for my HSC at Bonalbo Central School I worked every Wednesday at the preschool in Bonalbo, I did this for two years. I ended up completing the traineeship and having a Cert. III in Early Childhood Education & Care, I also attained my HSC certificate. It was an amazing experience and I loved learning new things. By the end of 2014 I was thinking about my plans for 2015, I had been accepted into university but I was also considering my Diploma. I decided to defer uni, and stay working at Jumbunna. So that is what I have been doing this year, studying and working.

It doesn’t feel like working though because it’s something I enjoy doing, it doesn’t feel like a job because I don’t see it as tasks that need completing, it’s looking out for children, interacting with them, occasionally being silly and educating them, you should know that they teach me a few things too. I enjoy my time here, I am extremely grateful that I have had the opportunity to learn and expand my skills through a traineeship, it is amazing to think that I was given an opportunity in school that would help me so much in the future.

Thank you!