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“In discussing the purpose of life, His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks about happiness and the importance of showing compassion for others. At some point in our lives, we all have to face difficulties and experience suffering. COVID-19 has certainly presented its share of difficulties for a lot of people in our community.
“I believe that donating to Curtin Cares is a simple way in which we can demonstrate compassion and empathy for those in need. The world desperately needs more kindness and I firmly believe that we need to give what we can, when we can.”
Patti Belletty, Curtin staff
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“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, I had organised a teaching placement in New Zealand. The pandemic impacted me hugely as I was not able to do this trip anymore and so lost my job. And it has also impacted student learning; I have just finished a one month teaching placement and the gap in knowledge between those students who did and did not make an effort in online learning is evident.
“The long term-effects of the virus on education may be extensive. Online homework platforms; increased need for technology funding for schools that may be lacking in this department; and irreversible stress on teacher’s who may not have dealt with the pandemic well.
“There may also be a visible gap between the current and future educator’s technology skills, and so hirers may begin to develop a preference for younger teachers over those of the less-tech savvy generations.
“Donating will ensure teachers are not left behind in this new environment, and will give our future generations the best chance to succeed within this ever-changing world we live in.”
Molly Tame, Curtin student, Bachelor of Education (Primary)
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“I am completing my internship for my Bachelor of Education and hope to graduate later in 2020. I really enjoyed my time studying at Curtin. My tutors always provided guidance and support, but have been particularly outstanding in being there for their practicum teachers throughout the uncertain times of COVID-19.
“This pandemic has been a time of immense change, challenge and opportunity for teachers and support staff. Teachers have had to move from face-to-face to online teaching virtually overnight. Most students have had their worlds turned on its head as they are forced to learn from home.
“Curtin has been instrumental in facilitating my internship and keeping us informed during COVID-19. They have provided lots of resources about teaching online in the key learning areas and the completion of the Assessment for Graduate Teaching (AfGT).
“Education, and teachers in particular, have shown that they are adaptable and flexible, so hopefully that upskilling and professional development continue into the future.”
Katherine Tindale, Curtin student, Bachelor of Education (Primary)
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“I was set to graduate this year but now I am unsure about whether there is going to be an actual graduation.
“Teachers need more support – they are looking after and educating your children. They are under enough stress with the ever-changing pandemic issues. I myself have made 10-week programs only for them all to be thrown away because of the ever-changing timing.
“The teaching materials that Curtin will provide through Curtin Cares will allow the students to have a useful blended-learning app. This way we can have something to fall back upon.
“Thank you for donating and acknowledging the hard work that teachers do. It is important for teachers to feel supported by the community, as we are often underpaid and underappreciated. Donating means supporting the people who will educate the future generation.”
Imogen Porter, Curtin student, Bachelor of Education (Primary)
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“I applied for the bursary because being a New Zealand citizen in Australia, I’m not able to get HECS or financial help along those lines. My hours at work got cut short, and therefore I wasn’t earning enough money to pay my bills at home or my university tuition fees, and so I was afraid of having to drop out… It was stressing me out from morning to night, and I would constantly think about how I wouldn’t be able to make it this school year.
“The bursary has definitely lifted a weight off my shoulders. I can now live more stress-free and be able to study and attend classes knowing that there’s a way that I can make my tuition payment on time. It’s still a long road ahead, but if I persist, I should be able to make it.
“So to those who have given – thank you for your generosity and care. Thank you for letting me know that I’m not alone.”
Gabriella Sinsua, Curtin student (Creative Writing and Screen Arts)
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“My work has changed a lot [since COVID-19] and it has been very scary, but at least Curtin has been there to support me. I was lucky enough to be granted the Financial Assistance Scholarship and buy a new MacBook laptop.
“If I didn’t have the Bursary, my life would be a lot harder. I think I would have had to drop out of my course, because I financially could not afford a MacBook before receiving this support. The fact that I have a computer that works means I can get my work submitted on time, and not lose my dissertation, or my sanity.
“To those who have donated, I will never be able to repay you, but I promise to pay it forward to someone else when I have the means to do so. One day I will be a clinical psychologist; my passion is men’s mental health.
“We students are often the ones who need support the most, as we’re working two or three jobs just to make sure we can get degrees to make an impact in this world. Right now, we just need to look out for each other.”
Jacqueline Pitel, Curtin student (Honours in Psychology)
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“I donated to Curtin Cares because I could see my donation would create immediate impact and change. Reading the story of Stephanie Levy, a student who is studying to be a paramedic but lost her job due to COVID-19 made me decide to donate, as she’s facing a lot of change and uncertainty right now.
“I hope my donation helps her and others like her overcome some of the financial challenges students are facing, [so that they] don’t give up on achieving their academic dreams.
“Donating made me feel more connected to the Curtin community… If the global pandemic has shown us anything, it is how interconnected we really are. We are in this together and I believe we should do what we can to help each other.
“If you are in the position to donate, please consider supporting Curtin Cares; you just never know, the student you support today might be the paramedic saving your life tomorrow!”
Karen Iber, Curtin graduate (Graduate Certificate in Marketing)
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“It is my honour to make this humble contribution as a proud member of the Curtin community. We will support Curtin, as always, to combat the challenges we are now facing together. I feel it is important, now more than ever, to help others in need at this critical time. We need to support each other as we all navigate our way through the crisis.”
Katherine Su Nie, Curtin graduate (PhD of Philosophy)
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“We are all in this together. I believe we are all one entity… [Giving to Curtin Cares] was about gifting a smile or warming someone’s heart; and I also gifted myself great joy.”
Parisa Izadpanahi, Curtin staff
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“Live-in Learning is delighted to have been invited to participate in this superb initiative by Curtin University, leading the way in this most valuable investment in and commitment to, our community’s future.”
Live-in Learning