SHELLHARBOUR Tafe students were among the very first to graduate with a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) from TAFE NSW Higher Education.
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Six TAFE Illawarra Shellharbour students celebrated completing the degree at a ceremony in Ultimo, Sydney on Wednesday, April 15.
The graduates were among the 71 others from across TAFE NSW Institutes who obtained their higher degrees in multiple fields.
Illawarra graduate, Katherine Herbert was selected to present the Graduates' Vote of Thanks at the event.
Ms Herbert undertook her bachelor degree while working as the director of a childcare centre in the Illawarra, a position she held for nine years.
"When starting my degree, I thought I knew enough as centre director, yet it wasn't until having the privilege to study under some amazing and inspirational lecturers that I realised how my own learning could evolve and expand," she said.
Other graduates were: Julie Farquhar-Nicol, Leanne Harris, Esterina Lappos, Tammy Monagle and Alicia Peters.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, managing director of TAFE NSW Pam Christie said enrolments in higher degrees have grown from 23 students in 2011 to 1094 in 2015 with nine degree programs available.
"TAFE NSW courses have much smaller class sizes in the first year. Direct contact with lecturers is significantly higher at TAFE than at a university and there is a more structured and industry-specific environment in which to complete your studies. Classes are small enough for students to openly ask questions," said Ms Christie.
"Our retention rate is over 90 per cent and this reflects the excellent student support that TAFE NSW offers. Most of our degree students are mature age and therefore are highly self-motivated people who enjoy the smaller class sizes," Ms Christie said.
