Birrell congratulates CSC on positive school culture and outreach program

By Gabriel Garcia

Apr 28, 2023

Well-known visitor: Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell with members of the Australian Defence Force and the captains of Cobram Secondary College on Friday, April 28. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell visited Cobram Secondary College as an invited guest for the school’s Anzac Day service held on Friday, April 28 and toured the school afterwards.

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Mr Birrell was given a tour of the college by captains Daniel Campbell and Caitlyn Knight and commended the school leadership on providing a space for students to thrive.

“It was great to engage with the students and to see the facilities, but mainly just to hear from the school captains and other senior leaders just how good that the culture is here and the aspirations of the two students,” Mr Birrell said.

He said he was particularly impressed with the college’s Pedal Empowerment Program, which offers the students the chance to learn how to refurbish old bikes which are given back to the community.

Wonderful program: Sam Birrell listens on as the Pedal Empowerment Program co-ordinator Matthew Hendry explains the initiative, while college captains Caitlyn Knight and Daniel Campbell listen on. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

College principal Kimberley Tempest said the fact that Mr Birrell took time out of his schedule to tour the school showed that the school was being recognised at the federal level for its work with students.

“Our reputation is growing. We're having people come from far and wide to look at what we do and how we do it,” Ms Tempest said.

Ms Tempest said the Pedal Empowerment Program was part of the college’s drive to show students what it means to be community-minded members of Cobram, as well as make them job-ready.

“We really believe that we are part of the community and we are teaching our students firstly really useful life skills but also we're teaching them that as community members how to give back. So it's not all about what you get, it's about what you give,” she said.