Sarah helps the next generation achieve greatness

Sarah Tramacchi celebrated the culmination of her studies alongside her peers at TAFE Queensland’s Gympie graduation ceremony in December, with the dedicated student earning recognition as the campus’s Student of the Year.

Sarah said she was pleasantly surprised when her name was announced.

“I knew I’d been nominated but I also knew others were nominated and that they were just as deserving, so I didn’t actually expect to win,” Sarah said.

“I’m very grateful and humbled, and I feel honoured to receive this recognition. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve received an award for anything academic, so it’s extra special.”

The loving mother-of-three said she has always been passionate about the power education has to change lives and in returning to study as a mature-aged student, wanted to not only be a role model to her own children, but also hone her skills and become a better teacher aide.

“Having children of my own, I wanted to be a good example and show them that no matter what age and stage of life you’re in, you can always continue learning and achieving your goals,” Sarah said.

Sarah said that although she’d already chosen to return to study, her decision was reaffirmed when she discovered she was able to undertake the Certificate IV in School Based Education Support (CHC40221) at no cost under the Queensland Government’s Fee Free TAFE funding.

“I’d always wanted to advance my education but wasn’t afforded the opportunity when I was younger,” Sarah said.

“I had thought about doing this course at the beginning of the year, but need to consider our family’s finances. Then I found out it was fee free, so I went to the campus the day I found out and enrolled then and there; I thought to myself, ‘now’s my time, I’m making this happen!’” she said.

Sarah now hopes to one day continue on to university and use her skills to help create opportunities and safe places for at-risk children, youth and young adults in the community.

“Before doing this, I was working as a disability support worker in Brisbane. But when we moved to Gympie, I decided that the best thing for my family would be for me to work within school hours,” Sarah said.

“I have the privilege of watching the children I work with grow and realise their own worth and potential. I loved being a support worker, but I also love working as a teacher’s aide; I still get to help and support people, just with a different setting and in a different capacity. I couldn’t ask for a better job.”