We’re delighted to introduce Jacob Bellingham, the recipient of the Bank First Indigenous Leaders Scholarship at Monash University. 

Jacob’s journey to becoming a teacher began at the age of 16, when an injury took Jacob, an avid athlete, off the field and into his first coaching role. “Coaching cricket, I found it rewarding to watch children grow and develop so quickly while doing something they loved.” 

Now, two years into his teaching degree and approaching his second placement, Jacob is focused on balancing rapport with his students and structure in the classroom. “There is never a boring day in the class. There are new challenges each day, and this means learning to deal with them and coming up with creative solutions.” 

'As a teacher, you can always improve by using student’s voices and feedback to develop and implement new strategies in your teaching.' 

For many First Nations students, the cost of pursuing higher education is a significant barrier. Jacob, who currently works three jobs, finds unpaid work placements rewarding but also financially challenging. 

'This scholarship has not only eased financial burdens but has deeply motivated me to complete my course. I hope to make a positive impact on many children's lives in the future.'

At Bank First, we’re proud to support students studying teaching and nursing to reach their greatest potential. Scholarships like these represent a commitment to equitable opportunities for all students. 

Bank First Aspiring Teachers Award 

Since 2019, The Bank First Aspiring Teachers Award has recognised the outstanding efforts of top-performing students in Monash’s Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Master of Teaching courses. 

The 2024 award winners are Andrew James Aronowicz (Postgraduate), Tina Natsumi Pyrcz (Undergraduate), and Jonathan Velonis (Undergraduate). The academic achievements of these three students are no doubt an indication of the incredible impact they will make as educators. 

Bank First was established over 50 years ago by teachers. We continue to build upon our legacy of championing educators through initiatives like our Monash scholarship and awards.