General News
8 February, 2023
Half a century of inspiring students
Rainbow P-12 College teacher Joan Solly is celebrating a huge educational milestone this year, having clocked up 50 years in education. Mrs Solly is well-known and well-remembered for her bright clothing, large necklaces and bright blue eyeshadow...
Rainbow P-12 College teacher Joan Solly is celebrating a huge educational milestone this year, having clocked up 50 years in education.
Mrs Solly is well-known and well-remembered for her bright clothing, large necklaces and bright blue eyeshadow, and has seen numerous advancements and changes to the education system over the years.
“Technology has certainly progressed in that time,” she said.
“From the methylated spirit duplicators that often saturated the pages in metho, to the high tech printers and scanners of today; the elaborate chalkboards, now replaced by presentations on smart TV’s.”
Mrs Solly grew up in Rainbow before embarking on her adventure in education, training at Ballarat Teachers College.
“In my first year, I boarded at a hostel in Webster St with a number of other girls, then in the following years, I rented a house in Creswick Road with four other girls,” Mrs Solly said.
“I remember the house cost $25 dollars a week, so rent was $5 each, and our living expenses were similar. I think I was paid about $48 a fortnight on my studentship.
“My housemates helped me learn how to cook which was handy.”
Mrs Solly graduated in 1973 and began her career at Beulah Primary School, teaching a class of 38 students.
After three years inspiring Beulah’s young minds, Mrs Solly progressed to Hopetoun Primary School, and taught there for 19 years.
She finally settled back in Rainbow in 1995, taking a position at Rainbow Primary - now Rainbow P-12 College - where she still teaches, 28 years later..
Mrs Solly has worked under an astounding 15 principals and said seeing students learn to read and write their first words has always been the highlight of her career.
“The friendships I’ve formed with families and students over the years have been great,” she said.
“I have worked with some amazing colleagues along the way and am still happy to keep learning from others today.
“It has been a most rewarding career and, 50 years on, still keeps me motivated about providing educational opportunities.”