Karen Seary, Megan Hindmarch and Susan Roberts look forward to enabling secondary school students to develop higher aspirations.CQU's Division of Teaching and Learning Services and Equity and Diversity Office have joined forces to deliver a revitalised Tertiary Awareness Program (TAP) to local secondary students.

Originally offered by the Faculty of Business, the revised program can be tailored to suit the needs of individual schools.

TAP offers a combination of academic and personal skills development including finance, accommodation, personal development, academic skills and knowledge.  It provides information about courses and careers, focusing on enabling a comfortable transition from high school to university.

Karen Seary, Head of Academic Learning Support, is responsible for re-igniting the program and devised the new collaborative approach of delivery, focusing on Year 10 students.

"Having spent 16 years as a teacher in high schools and 14 years with CQU, I can see the huge chasm that exists between high school and university and am committed to trying to bridge the gap between the two," said Mrs Seary.

"Many Year 10 students underestimate their ability to look higher - with the knowledge and skills they learn through the program, young students realise they can aspire to greater things.

"TAP demonstrates to these students there will be the support at CQU that they need," she said.

 The revised TAP program -  delivered by the collaborative team of Megan Hindmarch of DTLS and Susan Roberts of Equity and Diversity -  will involve both students and parents, enabling more informed choices and wise decision-making regarding their SET Plan choices at high school and therefore their chosen careers.

  "It encourages young students to realise that university is an option for them - they can aspire to be a university student," Mrs Seary said.

"TAP provides advice on career planning, targeting Year 10 students when they are making decisions regarding their set plans for Years 11 and 12.

After completing TAP in Year 10, those students who wish to continue on to university will be further supported by the Equity Outreach program DARE (Developing Aspirations Regarding Education).

A pilot program offered to Year 10 students at Bundaberg State High School commences in the first week of third term.  

Queries about TAP can be directed to Karen Seary on 4150 7067 and all queries regarding the DARE program to Susan Roberts 4930 9832.