Teachers sharpen focus to widen pupils' participation
Published on 09 January, 2012
Teachers from as far afield as Barcaldine in the west, Calen in the north and Bundaberg in the south have converged on Rockhampton to discuss Widening Participation in Higher Education.
CQUniversity's Widening Participation team hosted the teachers* at Rockhampton Campus to refresh their knowledge of the widening participation strategy and associated 'EngagEDucation' programs. University staff also attended the forum.
Participating teachers also attended a dinner featuring a guest address by internationally renowned leadership expert Peter Baines. Mr Baines was able to draw on 22 years with the NSW Police leading teams in response to acts of terrorism and natural disasters on a scale not previously seen.
In line with the Bradley Review recommendations endorsed by the Federal Government, and in consultation with Queensland universities, CQUniversity Australia aims to widen participation in higher education from low-socio economic, regional and remote, and Indigenous students by partnering with primary and high schools to deliver programs that raise aspirations towards higher education, facilitate access into university, and provide support for first-year undergraduate students.
CQUniversity works with 33 high schools and 107 primary schools to build collaborative partnerships, helping teachers to explain requirements for higher education, raise aspirations and smooth students' transition into university and TAFE programs.
Widening Participation Coordinator Stacey Wallace said participating teachers were updated on initiatives including a Mobile Education Trailer that builds affiliation with university life through a virtual tour and stories from high-profile role models.
Forum delegates Kate Trenerry, Nikki Spinks and Alan Fraser from Rockhampton High School
Secondary programs available to encourage ongoing participation include 'film making, ' career match', 'uni skills', 'amazing race', 'artists in residence', and the 'conservatorium academy'. Indigenous students have access to the special Badi Athu (Grow to Know) and Youth Sports programs.
Ms Wallace said forum participants heard from special guest Mr Craig Cornwall, who is Assistant Director of the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
"Mr Cornwall participated in a panel of experts and answered questions from delegates about HEPPP," she said.
"Others on the expert panel included CQUniversity Dean of Education Professor Helen Huntly and Deborah Ilott, the Acting Principal Advisor for Educational Services for the Department of Education and Training.
"The HEPPP facilitated by DEEWR is the major funding program for widening participation and having Craig present at the forum enables teachers, academics and professional staff to gain insight into the HEPPP funding guidelines and examples of evidence that schools and university representatives can collect to show programs are working to raise aspirations towards higher education."
"The aim of the forum was to expand participants' understanding of the objectives and anticipated outcomes of the widening participation agenda. Participants engaged in facilitated workshops to collect feedback on 'EngagEDucation' programs, improving student outcomes and strategies to expand awareness of widening participation throughout our designated Queensland region," Ms Wallace said.
She explained the benefits of the CQUni Connect Program, which offers eligible students a range of services tailored to their individual needs throughout their first year on campus.
* The schools participating were:
Bundaberg State High
Rockhampton State High
Calen District State College
Monto State High School
Glenmore State High School
Tambo State School
North Rockhampton SHS
Aramac State School
Yeppoon State High School
Mackay State High
Sarina State High
Rockhampton State High
Barcaldine State School
The Cathedral College
St Brendan's College
Biloela State High School