Students are teachers Degrees of joy at function
ALANA Ritter rewarded herself with some Tiffany perfume and a Mimco handbag after graduating from an education degree.
The 26-year-old finally received her early-childhood qualifications after seven years of part-time study through James Cook University yesterday. She joined 328 other graduates for the ceremony at Cairns Convention Centre.
Ms Ritter spent time travelling and working as a kindergarten teacher at Good Start Kanimbla while completing her course
“It worked well and I could get experience. What I was being taught, I was able to put in practice with children and it made it more relatable," she said.
“The ceremony was amazing and I got to graduate with my best friend Jessica Harper. We started together.
“Education is precious and everyone has a right to it. Those first five years is so important to get those foundations right. I love my job. Even on my hard days I love it.”
Dame Carol Kidu, a former member of the Papua New Guinea Parliament who has worked to improve the rights of marginalised or neglected groups – including women, the disabled, children, HIV-positive people and indigenous minorities – spoke at the graduation ceremony.
Check out more graduation photos online at www.cairnspost.com.au
Suzanne Read and Jaime Read. SCHOOL’S IN: Jessica Harper and Alana Ritter graduated with early-childhood teaching qualifications at a James Cook University ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre. Belinda Tomkinson, Joel Tomkinson and Loris Durant. Ann, Abby and Ken Horsford.