“I wanted to go to university but was told I wasn’t smart enough,” Paige said. “I was so scared of failing and proving those people right.
“High school was very hard and I didn’t get an ATAR. I studied child-care at TAFE, because I wanted to get into a helping profession, but ended up bouncing between jobs, none of which I particularly enjoyed.”
It was a social worker Paige met while employed in child protection that suggested she would be perfect in that role and recommended UNE’s Pathways Enabling Course, a free program of study for students without the educational background for admission to an undergraduate course.
“I didn’t tell anyone I had done Pathways or enrolled in social work,” Paige said.
But, yesterday (5 December), she was ready to sing it to the rooftops, receiving her Bachelor of Social Work, with First Class Honours and a University Medal, as the first in her family to undertake tertiary study.
“I did it the hard way, but I’m very proud of myself,” Paige said. “And I’m very grateful to those who supported me, without even knowing I was studying.”
Half-way through her degree, Paige completed a Social Work in Schools (SWiS) placement at Chatham High School, in Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast, and was immediately recruited as a Student Support Officer.
“I learn from our students every day and love it more than any job I’ve ever had,” Paige said.
And, to top it off, she inspired Victoria to complete the Pathways Enabling Course and study social work at UNE. With trimester one under her belt, Victoria joined Paige’s graduation cheer squad, which included her therapy dog Crysta, a regular visitor to Chatham High.
