Being part of a young person’s journey

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Caroline Fitzpatrick, De La Salle College, Malvern.22 March 2022

Caroline Fitzpatrick has been part of the teaching community at De La Salle College, Malvern, for 11 years. For eight of those years, she has been the careers advisor, working with students and families to provide appropriate pathway options for young people.

Caroline assists students to make informed decisions about their future post-secondary studies and career pathways through programs in Years 9–12. ‘I believe the partnership between students, parents and the school is one of the most important elements for a student’s education and maturation more generally.

‘One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is to be a small part of a young person’s journey to become the best that they can be.’

One of the students who left a lasting impression on Caroline is past school captain, Elliot Fabris. Elliot missed out on his first university option of physiotherapy at Monash University by two marks. However, he was offered a place to study science at Monash University, which he took up. Despite his academic success in the science degree, he never stopped wanting to become a physiotherapist.

Eventually, Elliot was offered a position at La Trobe University. Even though it required a long commute, he accepted the offer. In 2020, Elliot graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Physiotherapy Practice. He now divides his time between working at the Alfred Hospital and Kooyong Physiotherapy Centre.

‘Elliot’s story humbles me because you can see what is possible when you want something badly enough and are prepared to make sacrifices for it to become a possibility’, said Caroline. ‘I am proud to be part of a school that can offer students great diversity within the senior school academic program. The college embraces the idea that there isn’t only one way to achieve success in your senior years at a school.’