Kane van Elsland was determined to follow his dream to attend university despite suffering a major setback in his final year of the HSC.
Throughout his junior and preliminary years at high school, Kane excelled in most subjects and was eager to succeed in the HSC. However, an unexpected family circumstance forced Kane to take on a job washing dishes six nights a week to help his parents with a large financial burden. Despite his best efforts to balance schoolwork with work responsibilities, his grades inevitably suffered.
"I actually got the highest overall science marks through coursework at high school but due to some family circumstances, I had to help out my immediate family with paying bills and things like that… I just couldn't get ready for the HSC, so I didn't get the ATAR that I needed to get in [to university],” says Kane.
Kane van Elsland (right) with UOW College General Manager Felix Lanceley.
From heartbreak to opportunity
Left feeling heartbroken and unsure of where to turn, Kane began to research what other options were available to him.
“I remember sitting in my room, sifting through the promotional materials from various universities, when I stumbled upon a course guide for UOW College courses. It was a local option, and there weren't any other comparable programs offered by other universities.”
Kane applied, was accepted, and from the very beginning felt supported and back on track to achieve his goal of going to university. He credits his time studying at UOW College as setting the foundations for success in moving into his bachelor study at UOW.
“The teachers were genuinely invested in our success, always willing to stay late to assist with assignments or missed work. The program felt like a natural progression from secondary school, equipping us with essential skills like time management, group work, and referencing. Every class felt purposeful, contributing to our readiness for university studies.” says Kane.
Kane delivering the keynote address at the UOW College graduation ceremony in November 2024.
A student becomes a teacher
Kane graduated from UOW College in 2011 and moved into a Bachelor of Science at UOW. On completing his bachelor study, an interest in teaching and helping people led him to take on a Master of Teaching, where a new career path as a Science teacher began.
Since graduating, Kane’s career has gone from strength to strength. He’s held teaching positions in high schools across the Illawarra and Sydney, currently teaching at Bulli High School where he also serves as a Year Advisor.
Not content with just teaching, Kane draws on his own personal challenges and experiences in taking on additional roles and responsibilities that give him the opportunity to have a positive impact on his student’s lives. He’s been a year advisor, Student Learning Support Officer, and specialises in working with students with cognitive disabilities and extensive additional learning needs.
“I’m committed to seizing opportunities and contributing to the school community. Recently, I collaborated with our Aboriginal Education Teacher to organize the first Connecting to Country program for Indigenous students, involving local elders.” he says.
At Bulli, Kane continues to work for all the things he is passionate about, using a teaching style that sets students up for success. Kane’s experience at UOW College has influenced the way he works with his own students.
“I think that's probably the biggest thing that the College has given me to teach my students, is the why of everything. I explain why I want them to do it. So, you can improve your writing, so you can get better marks, so you can achieve a higher ATAR, so you learn how to approach feedback,” Kane explains.
Kane still has fond memories of his time at UOW College and says it has been the key to his success in his chosen career path. His story is a reminder of opportunities that can be opened through education, and the important role of pathways programs play for students that have experienced disadvantage in their lives.
“The College's programs have opened doors for me that I never imagined possible, equipping me with invaluable skills that I continue to utilise today. It provided the crucial stepping stone and opportunity I needed to succeed in my chosen field.”
Learn more about pathway programs offered at UOW College.