“There are many examples of corporate and private school alumni programs and we’ve seen how successful they can be if they’re well organised.

So why shouldn’t state schools give that same opportunity to their students and their alumni?”

“Alumni programs are really important for state schools.

“This program gives the students a perspective about different pathways and how they can move forward once they finish school.”

“We’ve set up a student scholarship with our friends from high school.

“We hope it grows with the alumni program to encourage Sunshine College students to progress to tertiary education.”

“It’s important for young people to see themselves in role models.

“For me, coming back to school is about trying to inspire new Australians to see themselves in roles that exist for everybody; to see themselves as part of this country.”

“It’s good for students to see what Matthew Flinders girls are capable of. Having an alumni program gives them hope for the future.”

“The program gives students ideas about how to manage their life, control their study time and how to do well.”

“Hosting a work experience student from Princes Hill was a great way to give back to the state school community that supported me so well during my school years.”

“We never had an alumni program during my high school days. It’s wonderful to be able to be part of this program and to give back to my community. It’s an honour.”

“It’s really beneficial for past students to be able to come back and share their experiences with current students.

“It would have been helpful when I was in Year 12 to hear some advice from people who’d been through it before.”

“Reconnecting with my old school has been an extremely rewarding experience.

“It’s given me the opportunity to help students realise that their dreams can be achieved regardless of their background.”

“An alumni program broadens the horizons of the school community. It shows you how networks can be important for support and how they can further your career.

“It benefits alumni as well as school students.”

“The Ourschool alumni program provides a fantastic opportunity for students to gain insight into the many, varied possibilities that lie ahead of them.”

“The alumni program is great for students because they can see where it’s possible for them to go, even if they think they can’t. They can see that they can achieve, and that it doesn’t matter where they’ve come from.”

“Hearing from alumni gives students an understanding of what it’s actually like after school, because they can forget what school really is about. Students hear ‘real’ stories from ‘real’ people and hear about the actual pathways.”

“Taking part in the alumni program was a great way to share my experiences and motivate the next generation of students to start thinking about work options and pathways into different careers.

“Pathways are not always clear, but there are many doors that can lead to success or entrance into a desired profession.”