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Charters Towers high school students Get into Uni

Year 10 students from Charters Towers will experience university life first-hand in Townsville this week, as part of a special residential camp being held at James Cook University.

Following the success of the inaugural Charters Towers Residential Camp at JCU last year, the 2015 ‘Get into Uni’ camp will bring together students from four secondary schools.

In all, 65 students from All Souls St Gabriels School, Blackheath and Thornburgh College, Charters Towers State High School and Columba Catholic College will attend the three-day camp, from Monday to Wednesday, to raise awareness about university study, and support students’ aspirations.

The event is funded by the Federal Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnership Program, Charters Towers Regional Council, Evolution Mining and all four secondary schools.

Mikaela Dockrill, School Partnerships Coordinator from JCU’s External Engagement Directorate, said the camp aimed to show students the opportunities in tertiary education and to inspire them to further study.

“The students will engage with current JCU student ambassadors and University staff in an exciting range of activities to give them insight into opportunities that are available to them,” she said.

“The activities will focus on supporting aspiration to, and awareness of, tertiary study, exploring course and subject areas, and matching those with career aspirations.”

“Last year’s Y10 camp was extremely successful in building students’ awareness of university opportunities, so that they can make informed choices about their future education and career pathways. Participants said they have greater commitment to their studies and are focused on getting to university.”

Ms Dockrill said the collaboration with, and support from, Charters Towers Regional Council and school principals was critical to JCU linking effectively with regional communities. They had also received excellent feedback from principals, teachers and parents.

“We see a positive difference in students’ beliefs about university and perhaps the start of a culture shift, where camp participants have become role models to their peers. They take on ‘JCU school ambassador’ roles when they return to school and community, which they are delighted with and which gives them a voice and responsibility to share their new knowledge and experiences with their peers. It is wonderful to be a part of making this happen.”

Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Frank Beveridge said the Council and other regional centres had a central role to play in engaging with universities.

“I am very happy to be involved in helping to create outcomes for the students of Charters Towers and in North Queensland. We have a big future with JCU and regional centres such as ours in educating our students and supporting them onto university pathways. These ongoing collaborations will positively affect the whole region,” Cr Beveridge said.