Miriam is graduating with the class of 2011. 72630 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Vanessa Chircop
FOR most students graduating from Year 12 is a pretty big deal, but for Miriam Holmes it’s a unique triumph.
Miriam has Down syndrome and last Friday saw her become the first student at Bayside Secondary College with the illness to complete Year 12.
For Miriam’s mum Mary it is a particularly proud moment.
The Yarraville family went seeking mainstream public education for their daughter within their own area but to no avail.
“A lot of schools around here made it quite clear that we weren’t welcome,” she said.
Mary didn’t want Miriam placed in a special needs school because she felt she would cope better in the community after high school if she were sent to a mainstream school.
“Bayside College were really welcoming and supportive,” she said.
For Miriam, graduating from Year 12 has meant staying in school longer to increase her learning and independence and links to the community.
Despite not completing traditional VCE, Bayside College established a modified VCAL course with the help from the Down Syndrome Association, which works within Miriam’s abilities.
Mary believes Miriam would not be the success she is without this support.
“She has become independent and part of the community she belongs to,” she said.
The 19-year-old has proved that anything is possible given the right support and was excited to dress up as a hippie for muck-up day like the rest of her friends.
Along with completing Year 12 Miriam works part-time at a pharmacy, independently gets herself to school via public transport and hopes to go to TAFE next year.
