Happy Brain Education Partnership
We recently celebrated the successful completion of the first year of our partnership with Happy Brain Education (HBE), which has provided valuable opportunities and support for our students.
The 2026 program was the first regional scholarship program delivered by Happy Brain Education in partnership with GSSC. Throughout the year, participating students have had access to academic tutoring, mentoring and wellbeing support, as well as opportunities to build their confidence, connections and aspirations for the future.
To mark the occasion, Happy Brain Education hosted a Scholarship Celebration Dinner in Shepparton, bringing together scholarship students and their families, GSSC staff, HBE representatives, mentors and valued community leaders and supporters.
The celebration dinner also gave students and families the chance to meet the people behind the program, connect with their mentors and community leaders, and reflect on the experiences and achievements of the year.
We were pleased to welcome GSSC Executive Principal Barbara O’Brien and Multicultural Liaison Leader Hussam Saraf, alongside Happy Brain Education CEO Teba Mazin, Chairperson Mohammed Yassin and HBE mentors. Representatives from Greater Shepparton City Council, the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and La Trobe University also joined us for the celebration.
GSSC is proud of what has been achieved in the first year of this partnership and grateful to Happy Brain Education, our mentors, students, families and community partners for their ongoing support.
We look forward to continuing this partnership and creating further opportunities for our students to thrive, pursue their aspirations and achieve their goals.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 scholarship students!
GSSC and Happy Brain Education Begin Second Year of Partnership
Following a successful first year, Greater Shepparton Secondary College (GSSC) and Happy Brain Education (HBE) are excited to begin the second year of their partnership, continuing to support and create opportunities for our VCE students.
As students prepare for the 2026 VCE examinations, GSSC welcomed Hamzah Al Mahdi, a Happy Brain Education mentor and former HBE participant. Hamzah graduated last year with an impressive 94.25 ATAR.
On Tuesday 8 September, Hamzah delivered a mentoring session to GSSC students, sharing his experiences, practical advice and encouragement as students prepare for their exams. The following day, HBE CEO Teba Mazin joined our Year 11 VCE students for a special session. Teba is also a former HBE participant, graduating in 2016 with an outstanding 97.2 ATAR.
Teba spoke with students about her own journey, the opportunities available through HBE and the 2027 Happy Brain Education Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides selected students with academic tutoring, mentoring and wellbeing support throughout Year 12. Students from financially disadvantaged or refugee backgrounds who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
Having former HBE participants like Hamzah and Teba return to support current students is a great example of the impact of the program. Their journeys show students what is possible with the right support, commitment and belief in their potential.
As GSSC and HBE begin their second year of partnership, they will continue working closely with our school leadership, VCE and Multicultural teams to support our students and create further opportunities.
We look forward to another year of collaboration, mentoring and opportunity, and to seeing our students continue to grow, achieve and pursue their aspirations.
