Years of hard work and commitment will be rewarded today when more than 60 students don their gowns and caps to graduate at the University of Newcastle’s Port Macquarie campus.

Thirty-six Bachelor of Teaching (Primary)/Bachelor of Arts students will graduate, including eight with distinction, along with 27 Bachelor of Nursing students (three with distinction) and a small number of local students who studied at the University’s other campuses.

The principal of West Kempsey Public School Mrs Lyn Dockrill, who has led a highly successful 35-year career combining her twin passions for music and teaching, will be the occasional speaker for the ceremony.

Throughout her career, Mrs Dockrill has been committed to the principles of equity and inclusivity, ensuring access to educational opportunities and quality teaching for all students, regardless of their circumstances. 

This commitment has resulted in her successful leadership of West Kempsey Public School, which now has a stronger relationship with its community and is a dynamic learning and workplace environment for its students and teachers.

A highlight of her teaching career has been conducting Kempsey students at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games, the 2000 Paralympics and at Opera House concerts. 

The Port Macquarie campus of TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute is an innovative multi-sectoral campus, offering both University of Newcastle and TAFE programs to students in the Mid North Coast region.

Currently the University has close to 370 students studying nursing, teaching/arts, midwifery and the tertiary preparation course Open Foundation by Distance at the shared tertiary precinct with purpose-built facilities.

Ceremony details: Friday 1 March, 1pm, The Glasshouse Arts Centre, corner of Clarence and Hay Streets, Port Macquarie.