Leading Senior Constable Leigh Johnson with Year 5 Shepparton East Primary students Nathan Bag-Ao and Tanner Burns.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
From towering trucks to tiny guinea pigs, big dreams took centre stage as more than 600 Year 5 students from all 26 Greater Shepparton government primary schools gathered at Greater Shepparton Secondary College for Aspirations Day.
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The annual event aimed to spark curiosity and build career aspirations, encouraging students to imagine their futures as they prepared for secondary school and beyond.
Interactive displays were set up across the college’s main innovation building and on Ford Reserve, where students explored everything from heavy machinery and construction to science, hospitality, media and the arts.
The day brought together local businesses, industry representatives, GOTAFE and universities to showcase the wide range of education and employment opportunities available within the Goulburn Valley.
The hands-on approach allowed students to ask questions, try activities and begin conversations about what life after primary school could look like.
La Trobe University Shepparton senior co-ordinator of educational partnerships Rikke Mazzella said ages 10 to 12 were a critical time for students to start forming ideas about their futures.
“There are a few misconceptions middle-aged kids have about university, so informing them earlier on before their schooling gets serious is really important,” Ms Mazzella said.
“Giving information to our young people so they can start making informed decisions about their lives is crucial.”
Greater Shepparton Secondary College students also played a key role on the day, working as peer mentors and escorting visiting primary school groups around the campus, giving them a glimpse of high-school life.
For many students, the hands-on experiences were the highlight.
Guthrie Street Primary School student Liam Gleeson said his favourite part of the day was seeing the trucks and heavy machinery, and shared his aspiration to become a diesel mechanic.
Another Guthrie Street Primary School student Dempsey Mitchell was inspired by GV Vets’ animal display.
“I definitely want to be a vet now,” she said, after meeting the guinea pigs on show.
Local organisations including GV Health, Kreskas Brothers, Bertoli’s, GV Vets and FOOTT Waste were among those involved, with strong engagement from industry helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
Shepparton Education Plan project manager Jenni Gibson said Aspirations Day was designed to show students that big ideas could begin early.
“Most Year 5 students are not at an age where they know exactly what they want to do in life,” she said.
“But they are certainly old enough to have big ideas. Aspirations Day is about ensuring our young people know there is a pathway to whatever their dream job may be.”
Year 5 Guthrie Street students Liam Gleeson, Liam Jones and Lenny Hare gained a lot of information about trucks.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 5 Kialla West student Lakai McDonald gains study insight from Latrobe student ambassador Vanessa Asante.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 5 Guthrie Street students Illarah Conte, Emilia Kelly, Kyla Burney and Dempsey Mitchell have fun with their new furry friends.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
St George’s Rd Primary School Year 5 students learned about dance from Belong Dance Theatre's Cal Mills and Maddie King.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 5 Guthrie Street student Illarah Conte is immersed in the world of virtual reality.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Year 5 Kialla West student Thomas Gilby gains study insight from TAFE youth engagement officer Monica Kelly.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
