Daisy’s school to work journey

Meet Daisy Brown

16-year-old Daisy Brown was in year 12 at Charters Towers School of Distance Education when she presented at our Opening Opportunities conference. She combines schooling (QCE) with a Cert II in animal studies at Central Queensland University via the Start Tafe Now programme. She loves rap music and reformer pilates.

Daisy has a lifelong interest in animals, particularly horses and dogs. She established her career by undertaking a work experience placement in a vet clinic. Her teammates valued her skills in asking questions, using her initiative and monitoring dogs in surgical recovery. As a result, Daisy was offered an ongoing job at the vet and now works 17 hours a week. Her tasks at work include bathing dogs in the hydro bath and providing laser treatment, pre- and post-operative care, and general animal care.

Daisy’s school-to-work journey

Join Gillian and Daisy to hear how Daisy has used her high school years to explore employment and create a seamless transition from year 12 to working life in a job that is a great fit for Daisy. They’ll discuss

• Daisy’s experience of distance learning
• how school-based Work Experience operates under the distance education model
• how paying attention to Daisy’s interests helped identify potential school-based Work Experience opportunities
• how they approached the Veterinary practice to ask for a Work Experience opportunity
• the supports Daisy needed to thrive in the workplace, including:
  • having clear instructions about workplace expectations and clearly listed jobs
  • assistive technology
  • social scripting and helpful phrases
  • staff awareness around the impact of her disability and needs in the workplace
• the challenges that have arisen and how they’ve overcome them.

Meet Gillian Brown

Gillian has a background in nursing, having studied in Brisbane and Kings College University in London. She became a Nurse Practitioner in Haematology and lived and worked in London for over ten years. She has travelled extensively and worked in Africa, India, Eastern Europe, Europe, South and Central America (Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Peru) and Asia.

After her daughter Daisy was born, Gillian started her own cake-decorating business. She also worked as the food editor of Sweet magazine.

Gillian’s community work includes volunteering with refugees, asylum seekers, and homeless and women’s shelters. She has always included her children in these community initiatives.

Gillian’s current focus is supporting Daisy’s schooling. She believes that navigating the education system using your child’s area of particular interest or passion plays a crucial role in facilitating their opportunities and success in transitioning through school to employment.