Principal Nick Lynch said the school was benefiting from a Teachers Australia program which sent graduate teachers through a practical training course in preparation for the industry. 

“We use this program to bring specialised teachers and high-skilled graduates into our school,” he said.

“It has been very helpful to us and therefore we are not really suffering from any teacher shortage here which is a relief. Teacher shortages can be very disruptive to a learning environment.

“Here we always strive to have the required number of teachers. It is a big priority, but at some schools it is an issue that needs to be addressed.”  

Stawell Secondary had four teachers who were being trained in the program and one teacher who had completed it. 

“Schools like ours need to get good maths, physics teachers and others in specialised areas because more often than not we would lose many to schools in Melbourne,” Mr Lynch said. 

Stawell Secondary maths and science teacher Jessie Poulton said the program was beneficial to himself and the school.  

“It is aimed at training people once they have finished university, you can then go straight into working without needing more time to study,” he said. 

“It promotes a sense of collegiality and has a really good support network, vital to have when stepping into a new school.”

Mr Poulton said it was not the only way to fix the teacher shortage crisis, but it could be part of a solution.

“There are other ways out there, but this could be a good way to start,” he said.