For 18-year-old Cameron McCallum, the John Hunter Hospital School wasn’t just a place to learn, it was a lifeline.
After being diagnosed with leukaemia, the teen spent more than his fair share of time – in excess of 24 months – in the medical facility.
But, the hospital’s educational outlet proved a saving grace to Cameron and his family.
He found people who made him laugh and reminded him that he was still a student, not just a patient.
“It was fun and colourful,” Cameron said.
“It’s much more chill and relaxed than normal high school.
“It was also flexible and structured to the individual… plus, all the teachers were amazing.”
Throughout his lengthy stay at the New Lambton precinct, Cameron remained connected to education via the Newcastle-based John Hunter Hospital School, one of 10 such centres across NSW.
It operates within the paediatric wards of the John Hunter Children’s Hospital and provides tailored classes for children from Kindergarten to Year 12.
And, it serves more than 1,500 students annually, from the northern edge of Lake Macquarie all the way to the Queensland border.
Principal Amy Kurtz said Cameron’s story was just one of many, but his resilience and humour made him unforgettable.
“These kids go through so much adversity and, still, they’re some of the most empathetic, positive people you’ll meet,” she explained.
“Cameron is a perfect example of that.”
The school covers five distinct sectors, including a traditional classroom on the paediatric ward and bedside teaching for children too unwell to leave their rooms.
The services also extend to the Ronald McDonald House, programs at the paediatric outpatient day unit, and partnerships with the Nexus Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit.
Newer additions include three days a week at Maitland Hospital and a residential eating disorder clinic in Charlestown.
Despite the challenges, students like Cameron aren’t missing out.
The John Hunter Hospital School brings the world to them, through visits from Aboriginal Elders, environmental educators and scientists from the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).
“We had some amazing reptile experts the other day, with gorgeous green tree frogs,” Ms Kurtz told the Newcastle Weekly.
Teachers work closely with pupils’ home schools, ensuring continuity of learning and easing their transition back to mainstream classrooms.
Whether a student is in hospital for one day or more than 650, like Cameron, the goal is the same, to keep the learning alive.
The school also relies heavily on fundraising events, like its upcoming fete on 1 November at The Station in Newcastle, to generate awareness and much-needed resources.
As Cameron reflects, his message to the team is clear: “I miss them, I love them and the staff put their whole heart into what they do”.
For more community stories:
- Thornton Public School to undergo multi-million-dollar upgrade
- Local legend Ellena Morris OAM dives into City of Cessnock Hall of Fame
- Exhibition honours German refugees in the Hunter
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