JCU’s Indigenous Winter School helping to foster future success

From across Australia, 90 students have taken part in James Cook University’s Indigenous Winter School - making new friends, exploring study options, building confidence and discovering they can succeed at university.

Now in its ninth year, the JCU Indigenous Winter School Program runs over five days during the June/July school holidays.

Students from years 10, 11 and 12 spent part of their school holidays living on JCU Townsville’s Bebegu Yumba campus, taking part in academic lectures, enjoying fun-filled team-building activities, meeting university staff and students and forming friendships with other students in the program.

“The program builds confidence in each student’s learning capacity and shows them they already carry the strengths needed to succeed,” said JCU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Indigenous Education & Strategy, Professor Martin Nakata.

“We don’t just welcome them into the program, we stand with them every step of the way, with unwavering commitment through to the completion of their degrees.”

This year’s Indigenous Winter School students travelled from right across Australia, including from metropolitan, regional and remote communities in Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Victoria.

Sophie Brindell a year 10 student from the Sunshine Coast in South-East Queensland was a first-time participant in this year’s Indigenous Winter School, saying she was planning on going to university to study social work.

“I definitely had thoughts about going to university. My sister is currently at university, so it was always something I wanted to do,” she said.

“I'm very interested in helping people become better and having better lives.”

By combining academic learning with practical experiences, the program encourages students to explore their interests, challenge themselves in new ways and prepare for university study.

Harry Plasto, a fourth-year JCU medicine student based in Cairns but originally from the Umpila Mob in Coen, has returned to the program as an Indigenous Student Ambassador, helping to mentor and support new Winter School students.

“This is my second Winter School program I've attended. Everyone here is really warm and welcoming,” he said.

“The staff look after you, you can have a look and see what you're interested in, and you can pick a path that appeals to you.”

Image: (L to R) Peata Deegan, Sophie Brindell and Harry Plasto at JCU's 2026 Indigenous Winter School.

JCU’s Head of Indigenous Learning Support Services, Mrs Manola Chong, explained that the program gives students the opportunity to discover they have more capacity than they often realise.

“For many students, this is the beginning of something much bigger than one week on campus,” said Mrs Chong.

“The confidence they develop here can open doors to new opportunities for themselves, their families and their communities.”

Townsville year 12 student Peata Deegan says this is her third time attending the JCU Winter School.

“Coming here and seeing the Indigenous programs just cemented it for me … culturally, academically and socially, it's a confidence booster,” said Ms Deegan.

“You get to talk to people and you get a taste of uni life when you come here. It's a really good program … especially for rural people from different communities.

“It's helped me realize that I can change how I learn, and I can do what's best for me.”