Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock with ECU staff and HAT@ECU students.
Edith Cowan University (ECU) has welcomed its first cohort of students at Joondalup campus to officially launch the High Achieving Teacher's program, known as HAT@ECU, which commences in Semester 1.
"ECU's first orientation was a resounding success with our HAT@ECU students given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the program and meet our dedicated teaching staff," ECU Executive Dean, Professor Caroline Mansfield said.
"We're also fortunate to have a diverse and talented group of individuals, thanks to HAT@ECU's focus on attracting not only recent graduates but also career changers.
High Achieving Teacher's of the future.
"A Paediatric nurse, consultant and data scientist, engineer, WAFLW football player, journalist, foster carer, and disability support worker, to name just a few."
Also in attendance was ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock, 25 Western Australian school principals, sector head leaders and The Education Department’s Director General, Mr Jay Peckitt.
"We are delighted to be the only Western Australian university to offer this program which allows students to earn an income while they study to become a teacher," Professor Mansfield said.
ECU is WA's only university to offer the program.
HAT@ECU
The program is an earn-as-you-learn pathway to a Master of Teaching in either Early Childhood, Primary or Secondary Education.
HAT@ECU is delivered as part of the High Achieving Teachers Program: Phase 2 Expansion Pilots supported by the Australian Government Department of Education.
Unlike existing coursework schedule for these master's degrees, study is structured around the four Western Australian school terms.
During the course, students will be placed in one of the partnership schools – public, Catholic or independent.
"This better aligns with school needs and enhances theory-practice connections. It also makes life easier for our students with school-age children," HAT@ECU Director Associate Professor Matt Byrne added.
"ECU is responsible for delivering more than half of Western Australia's teachers to public schools, however a national shortage remains.
"ECU and the Federal Government are trying to alleviate that in an innovative way," Professor Mansfield added.
"HAT@ECU is an exciting new program for our university, and welcoming the new HAT students for the first ever orientation is another milestone."
More information on HAT@ECU can be found on the website.
