For as long as she can remember, Hannah Cleal has wanted to work with animals. During her school years, she started to become fascinated with biology and medical sciences, and realised that becoming a veterinarian would combine her passions for both.
Today, Hannah’s dream is getting closer. She is studying for her postgraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Melbourne, having finished her degree in Veterinary Bioscience at Monash University after graduating from Chairo in 2013.
Hannah explained:
I love that every animal is unique and has a different personality. I have a passion for the health and welfare of animals and I’m looking forward to being able to help them, as well as provide comfort to their owners.
Hannah was a student at the Pakenham Campus from three-year-old Kindergarten through to Year 10, and then moved to the Drouin Campus for Years 11 and 12 because VCE wasn’t offered at Pakenham at that time.
Being an animal lover, many of Hannah’s favourite school memories involved the agricultural program at the Pakenham Campus. She loved the hands-on experiences and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the sheep show team that represented Chairo at shows all around Victoria.
When asked how Chairo prepared her for life beyond school, Hannah commented:
Chairo taught me to always do my best and to approach each challenge with a positive outlook. I learned to follow my dreams and to look to God for direction. I was encouraged to be the person that God had designed me to be.
Hannah valued the opportunity to receive a Christian education and explained:
The years spent at school are full of development and growth, and are crucial foundational steps. Receiving a Christian education means that students are surrounded during those critical years by people who support and nurture them to reach their God-given potential. A Christian education also means that, from a young age, children are taught important values.
Hannah would like to become a mixed practice vet, which will involve working with both farm animals and domestic pets. She recently became engaged and is looking forward to getting married in January 2017.
May 2016
Chairo is committed to helping prepare students to make a positive difference in the world. Read about just a few of the many young men and women who have attended Chairo over the years.
Kirsten Bryant: Kirsten is teaching in a multi-cultural primary school.
Travis Waterhouse: Travis is flying for a charter company in Alice Springs.
Hannah Cleal: Hannah is studying to be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti: Anthony is playing AFL football for Essendon.