Over 170 students preparing to sit their HSC exams chose to spend a week of their school holidays at the SPCC Cross Campus study camp, where they had the opportunity to discuss their future with SPCC Alumni. The camp offered students a unique blend of expert-led sessions and interactive activities focused on student support, community building and study help.

A highlight of the week was the ‘Inspire Night,’ where current students had the rare opportunity to engage with alumni from SPCC’s Newcastle, Cessnock, Port Stephens, and Gosford campuses. These former students, now professionals across diverse fields, shared their personal journeys, insights, and post-graduation experiences. This is the third year that alumni played a key role in this camp, investing a night travelling to Morisset to share their expertise.  

Alumni interactions ranged from small group discussions to dynamic panel sessions, allowing students to gain varied perspectives on navigating the HSC and life beyond school. The event proved to be a significant source of motivation and guidance for the attendees, showcasing the importance of SPCC’s alumni network.

Feedback from students highlighted the impact of the evening. Students Meg and Sarah praised the event, stating, "Inspire Night was fabulous—it was a great opportunity to get real-life advice and explore different future options. It put a lot of things in perspective for us; for example, the HSC is not the end and there is more to come! We also loved the connection the alumni still have with SPCC—it gives us hope for how we may be able to stay connected."

Eddie echoed this sentiment, noting, "I felt really inspired! I really appreciated how diverse all the alumni’s backgrounds were, as it meant we had heaps of opportunities to consider lots of different degrees and careers. I also really valued the focus they had on working hard and pursuing their goals."

The success of the night shows the invaluable role of alumni in encouraging SPCC students. Their generosity in sharing time, experiences, and wisdom not only inspired but also reinforced the community’s commitment to fostering a supportive and encouraging environment for the next generation of leaders.

The SPCC community extends a heartfelt thank you to all those who participated, helping to bridge the gap between current students and their future possibilities. The inspiration and connections forged during this week are set to leave a lasting impact on the students as they continue their HSC journey and beyond.

Thank you to the following Alumni for taking part and sharing on their fields of study

• Gosford
  • Kelvin Smith: Armed Forces, now training to be a Minister
• Port Stephens
  • Jesse McColl: Lawyer 
  • Andrew Glasgall: Finance/accounting
  • Jono Lethbridge: Teaching 
• Cessnock
  • Lachlan Schofield: Post doctoral researcher (women’s health research program, HMRI)
  • Rainey Sargent: Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) with a double major in History and PDHPE
  • Stevie-Lea Hoffmanbeck: Crime Scene Officer - Fingerprint Technician, casual disability support worker & nursing student
  • Jon Hirons: Counsellor (Child and Adolescent Mental Health, KidsHelpline). Bachelor of Music (partial), Bachelor of Arts (Counselling and Applied Psychology). 
  • Shenae Kearney: Pharmacist 
• Newcastle
  • Matt Old: Entrepreneur/business owner/Consultant, NDIS
  • Kiri Osborne: Senior Occupational Therapist, Morisset Hospital - Hunter New England Health 
  • Maggie McCarlie: Bachelor of Design (Architecture) 3rd Year, University of Newcastle
  • Josh Whiddon (Education leadership including moving abroad)