Get into Uni. School Partnerships. Supporting the aspirations of our region s young people

Transcription

1 Get into Uni School Partnerships Supporting the aspirations of our region s young people Through the Get into Uni progam, James Cook University (JCU) is working with schools to increase opportunities for low SES students to access, participate and succeed in tertiary education. Get into Uni activities are founded on the broad aims of raising aspiration to, awareness of and opportunities in university study. In partnership with schools, JCU offers the following : Student Ambassador Sessions Free, tailored sessions presented in schools by our trained Student Ambassadors (current JCU students) for Years 7 to 12, to encourage students to consider tertiary education and in particular to be aware of: The range of opportunities available to them as they access and participate in tertiary education; The value and benefits of a degree and what this means in terms of employability. Get into Uni Camp A 5-day intensive Camp for Year 10 students held on the campus of JCU to provide a first-hand experience of university life. Students are invited to attend who have been identified by their teachers as having the academic ability and potential to consider university study. Academic Encouragement Awards Cash awards for students in Years 7, 10 and 12 to recognise academic progress or achievements and to encourage further academic success amongst students who experience educational disadvantage due to financial hardship. Travel subsidy funds School travel subsidies are available to support participation in selected JCU activities on campus. JCU Campus tours Led by our Student Ambassadors, campus familiarisation days include ice-breakers, introductions to students and staff, a campus tour and general aspiration-raising activity followed by any of the following: Campus Challenge - an Amazing Race - style activity where students explore the campus and gather information about who s who and what s where at JCU. Subject Tasters- a mini-lecture or workshop in one or more subjects to expose students to study possibilities at JCU. Master-class - a lecture and tutorial/ workshop in a subject elected by the partner school providing subject enrichment and extension of the school curriculum. Touring programs: JCU provides funding to NQ CSIRO Education and Shell Questacon Science Circus to deliver in-school programs at no or minimal cost. Additional activities We also work closely with schools to conduct additional activities that meet the school s needs and support students in their journey to university through: Study groups and homework clubs Parent and community information sessions Indigenous-specific sessions Staff professional development workshops

2 The HEPPP Agenda The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) aims to ensure that Australians from low SES backgrounds who have the ability to study at university get the opportunity to do so. The HEPPP provides funding to eligible universities to undertake activities and implement strategies that improve access for people from low SES backgrounds...[and will] assist eligible universities to meet the Australian Government s ambition that 20 per cent of domestic undergraduate students will be from low SES backgrounds by The JCU School Partnerships and the Get into Uni program are our mechanism for engaging with our region s high-school students to progress the targets stipulated under the Australian Government s HEPPP. Throughout 2012, we have been working in partnership with a number of schools in the North and Far North Queensland region. The program has been well received by Education Queensland Regional Directors, Principals, school staff and students alike and has already seen over 10,000 students engaged with JCU staff, student ambassadors and the University, both on campus and in schools. Feedback from some of those involved: Teachers: Thanks so much for the great event you organised last Thursday. Feedback from teachers and students indicates they had a very enjoyable and instructive time. It s just brilliant to see that [the students ] minds and their ideas can change so quickly and they can see the advantages and opportunities that are available to them JCU Student Ambassador: The day was a huge success and I believe many of the students took away promising leadership skills...we acted as real life examples of people just out of high school who are in the process of reaching our own goals. Students: The student ambassadors have really helped me in deciding what to do after high school. Everything was very informative and interesting, but also fun of course! I enjoyed everything about the session. I also like the fact how they took time to teach us about Uni Principals: I understand firsthand about the value of this program...my daughter didn t know what she wanted to do but then had a visit to the JCU campus with her school and decided then that she wanted to study psychology...she is now considering a double degree Anything which involves our students in aspiration raising with JCU we want to take part. I ve never seen anything like the change in these students, in all my years of being in different schools and getting involved with different JCU events, I ve never seen anything so powerful These are students who weren t thinking of university and now they re all planning on going and are really excited about it. For more information please contact: School Engagement, Equity and Student Engagement, JCU P: E: GetIntoUni@jcu.edu.au

3 Get into Uni Student Ambassador School Sessions School sessions are focussed on raising the 5 As: Aspiration, Awareness, Achievement, Affordability and Action and provide information, advice and support for students at key transition stages of Year 7/8 (confidence and aspiration building), Year 9/10 (choosing electives, career and SET planning) and Year 11/12 (choosing and applying to university or education/training pathway). Activities in schools are presented by our trained Student Ambassadors, current JCU students who are passionate about their own education and sharing this enthusiasm with young people. Overview of sessions Activities can be delivered as stand-alone sessions or combined to create an interactive half or full-day programme delivered in schools or on-campus at JCU. All sessions are interactive and are designed to inspire students about university. Ideal group size is approximately 30 students, however, this is flexible and group size can be determined to meet individual school needs. Key Outcome Y8 Y9 Y10 Y11 Y12 Raising Aspirations Raising Awareness Raising Achievement Exploring Affordability Action for Access My Profile: Sky High Dreaming About Uni: Ambassador Stories Achievability: Working together, exploring together Money Matters: Famous Faces Get Smart: Helpers & Supporters My Profile: Enjoyment, Interest, Ability About Uni: Intro, Argumental! + Prospectus activity My profile: SWOT Yourself! About Uni: A Balanced Life My Profile: Planning for my future (PDP) About Uni : choices, application, support and finance My Profile: Life after Y12 About Uni: O Week JCU Campus Familiarisation activities plus subject extension: NQ CSIRO Education: Science and STEM Faculty of Arts: Creative Writing, Media and Journalism Money Matters: The Cash Dash Game Get Smart: Choosing your options Money Matters: Yes You Can Get Smart: Gathering knowledge Money Matters: Uni Funding Get Smart: It s who you know Money Matters: My Budget Get Smart: Your post- Y12 Roadmap to who s who

4 Stay connected! Engage with JCU Student Ambassadors online: Students are encouraged to continue their exploration of university study and life and engage with JCU student ambassadors online via Tumblr, Twitter or Contribute to - a unique space for high-school students online A bridge between high school and tertiary education, is a place for all schools in our region to share their news and views. Created to publish stories about and by high school students, JCNN@school gives students instant reward through showcasing their work on a public platform for everyone to enjoy. Both teachers and students are encouraged to enter their details to become a contributor to the website, or kylie.davis@jcu.edu.au to submit content for publication whether it s a short story, artwork, YouTube video or photography. JCNN@school is just one of the tabs at where students will find information about university and a link to the JCU Student Ambassador blog. Log on and join in the network now! For further information about our Get into Uni programs, contact: School Engagement, Equity and Student Engagement, JCU P: E: GetIntoUni@jcu.edu.au

5 Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp JCU Townville Campus, 1 5 July 2013 Fully funded through the Australian Government s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), the JCU Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp brings together students from our priority schools across the region to provide a first-hand experience of university life. Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp is fully funded by JCU for up to three Year 10 students per school. This includes all accommodation, meals and travel expenses for each student attending. Your students will be engaging with current JCU student ambassadors and University staff in an exciting range of activities focused on: raising aspiration to and awareness of tertiary study exploring course and subject areas and matching those with career aspirations team building activities to build capacity for group work social interaction with peers to build social skills and confidence Attendance at the Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp is directly linked to students increased engagement in school, with past participants stating that they have: Greater commitment to their studies Greater focus and clarity on subject choices Enthusiasm to talk about uni to their friends, to share info with those who also have the ability to go to uni but don t know about the opportunities How can students participate? In order for your students to get involved, your school needs to: identify and recruit three (3) Year 10 students from target backgrounds who would most benefit from the residential program (see overleaf for targeting criteria) assist students to register by ensuring all relevant paperwork in the Application Pack is completed for each student assist in pre- and post- residential travel arrangements for these students (NB: JCU will pay travel costs) How can staff participate? To ensure all students have the best possible experience, JCU requires a student to staff ratio of 10:1. To help us achieve this, we encourage Principals to nominate a member of staff to attend the Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp as a Home Group Leader. This is a non-teaching role where the nominated staff member is required to assist with student management, pastoral care and attendance checks for a group of students (maximum 10 students per group). Staff members are encouraged to attend and participate in activities to extend their own knowledge of tertiary opportunities and join in the fun! Participation in the camp provides a fantastic opportunity for your staff to build their skills in the area of tertiary pathways education and is recognised as Certified Professional Development (up to 15 hours). All travel, accommodation and meal expenses are paid by JCU.

6 Targeting criteria for selecting students The Australian Government s HEPPP is aimed at increasing the aspirations and capacity of people from low SES backgrounds to participate in higher education. JCU provides an opportunity to students in this target group to explore tertiary education as a viable option. When considering suitable students to participate in the Get into Uni Y10 Residential Camp, we encourage you to invite students within our target group who: have shown the capacity and ability in their studies and behaviour to consider university study need some encouragement or confidence building to believe in their own capacity to aspire to tertiary education are first in family to consider a tertiary education Given the high number of Indigenous students in our region, yet the typically low participation rates in higher education amongst this cohort, we strongly encourage schools to select at least one student to attend who identifies as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Travel arrangements All travel arrangements for students and school staff needs to be arranged by the school. Based on previous experience, it is best if one staff member is allocated this role to coordinate. JCU will cover all travel expenses upon receipt of an invoice and travel itineraries from the school. Transfers between airport and the JCU Campus will be provided by JCU by prior arrangement. JCU Residential activities will commence at 12pm on Monday 2 nd July and finish at 12pm Friday 6th July. All students and staff must have vacated their accommodation by this time and be off campus by 5pm on the afternoon of Friday 6th July. What past students have said: The student ambassadors were awesome and really helpful. [Johno] helped me with deciding what to do [Anon] Everything was very informative and interesting, but also fun of course! [Teisha] Coming out of my comfort zone was a challenge [Anon] Learnt a lot about uni [Anon] Best week ever! [Anon] It makes me want to come here because of indigenous people that support you. Indigenous scholarships might help me pay for things like fees uniforms and books all the stationery things [Shekyra] What teachers have said: it s just brilliant to see that their minds and their ideas can change so quickly and they can see the advantages and opportunities that are available to them Kristian Slait, Dimbulah SS I ve never seen anything so powerful as what happened on the Residential Camp. These are students who weren t thinking of university, and now they re all planning on going and are really excited about it [they] were very excited with what they experienced, and a number of them are re-evaluating their future options. You guys certainly did a great job letting them know what opportunities uni might offer. Frank Kingma, Principal, Collinsville SHS For further information, contact: Get into Uni School Engagement Equity and Student Engagement James Cook University P: E: GetIntoUni@jcu.edu.au

7 Get into Uni Information for Parents Why go to university? To improve career prospects o Increased options: almost 80% of graduates find full-time employment within four months of completing their degree (Graduate Careers, 2009) o Faster career progression o Increased requirement from employers for degrees To pursue a vocation o Medicine, nursing, architecture, law, pharmacy, dentistry... To earn a larger salary o University graduates have 30% higher earning capacity than students who do not go on to further education after high school (Australian Council for Education, 2009) To develop employability skills: o Commitment and dedication to task o Good communication skills and ability to work as a team o Presentation skills written and oral o Time-management o Self-motivation and ability to work independently o On-line learning and computer skills o Critical thinking and creative problem solving To build self-confidence, independence and responsibility o Time for exploration of ideas and self-discovery o Self-reliance To study a subject which is enjoyed What extras can students be looking to gain from university? Knowledge, an inquisitive mind and hunger for life-long learning Contacts for life: social and professional networks Global opportunities: Study Abroad and Exchange Programs Social development and greater acceptance of diversity Social, sporting and cultural activities o Student Association o Clubs and Societies Transformation through learning

8 JCU School Partnerships aim to: Increase awareness of and aspiration to university study Prepare students for university study so they can succeed Provide an avenue for learning about university life via our JCU Student Ambassadors A typical session with our JCU Student Ambassadors is highly interactive and engages students in meaningful activities around the key aspects of a university student s life: Social Making friends Building networks Clubs and Societies Managing social commitments Academic How universities work Subject choices and careers Teaching and learning at uni Study habits & time management Get into Uni Financial Funding sources Scholarships and HECS Living costs and budgeting Part-time work options Personal Accommodation Student health & wellbeing Support Services at JCU Living a balanced life Familiarisation to university life via JCU student ambassadors Preparation for transition from high-school to university Personal leadership and greater opportunity to succeed For further information, contact the School Engagement team: P: E: GetIntoUni@jcu.edu.au For further information about supporting students transition to university, refer to: JCU Guide for parents and partners of new students www-public.jcu.edu.au/study/parents/index.htm

9 Tertiary Access Course (TAC) Overview The Tertiary Access Course (TAC) is a pathway course for mature-age students or school leavers who do not have an OP Score or recognised experience. TAC is free and can be completed in 6 months (full-time). The School of Indigenous Australian Studies (SIAS) at James Cook University delivers TAC on the and Cairns campuses. Although primarily designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, TAC is also open to non-indigenous students. TAC can provide you with: the formal prerequisites to gain entry into many undergraduate courses; academic skills (literacy and numeracy) to enter and succeed in undergraduate studies; experience of a variety of university subjects; computing and information technology experience. SIAS in provides a pleasant environment for study and is set among natural surroundings. There are teaching and study areas, a computer room for students, a common room and kitchen facilities. Cairns The School in Cairns operates from JCU s Smithfield campus, on the ground floor of Building A4. Facilities available include: computer rooms, a quiet study area, a community student/ staff common room and courtyard, kitchen facilities and ready access to all School staff. Learning Outcomes: On completion of TAC you will be able to: realistically plan your study; identify support services available to you and how to access them; successfully apply the academic and study skills taught in the course; understand university policies and student responsibilities. Tertiary Access Course Campus:, Cairns Duration: 6 months full-time; I year part-time Mode: on campus Faculty: Arts, Education and Social Sciences Gain the academic skills you need to enter many degree courses at JCU. Search JCU courses online: Contact and how to apply details on next page.

10 Further Studies Students who successfully complete TAC: can apply for enrolment in many JCU bachelor degrees and may also be eligible for entry to other universities. apply for direct entry into a mainstream JCU course and do not have to apply through QTAC. To see the full range of courses available at JCU, visit or view our publications online at Entry Requirements Applicants complete an assessment and interview at either the Cairns or campuses, via the Internal Selection Program (ISP). The ISP is a basic literacy and numeracy test that takes place twice each year, enabling students to enrol at the beginning of the academic year (Study Period 1) or during midyear enrolment (which starts in Study Period 2). To find out when the next ISP is, visit www-public.jcu.edu.au/ study/indigenous-students/courses/ JCUDEV_ or contact SIAS (see below). If you can t get to an ISP, please contact SIAS. Application Process To apply, contact SIAS (see below) directly to receive copies of the application form and a schedule for the Internal Selection Program (ISP). You can find a schedule for the ISP and download an application form from: www-public.jcu.edu.au/ study/indigenous-students/courses/ JCUDEV_ Costs of Course TAC is a free program and exempt from Commonwealth Supported Place fees for eligible applicants. The course is also ABSTUDY and AUSTUDY approved for full-time students as per Centrelink guidelines. Scholarships Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students may also be eligible for the Commonwealth Indigenous Enabling Scholarships. For further information, visit Subjects BR1111: Introduction to Academic Skills Students will gain and develop the academic knowledge and abilities to be able to actively and effectively participate within an array of academic contexts at university. BR1114: Learning through Technology This computer-based subject enables students to select and use appropriate tools and technologies for research purposes, and provides the skills to use online information effectively and ethically. BR1224: Critical Literacy: Text Analysis In this English subject, students are introduced to ways of critically analysing a variety of texts for academic purposes. BR1244: Maths A1 This subject focuses on developing foundational mathematical concepts and skills to support students in their tertiary studies and life-skill situations. Further Information Student Enquiries, SIAS James Cook University QLD 4811 Tel: (07) Fax: (07) E: schoolofindigenousaustralianstudies@jcu.edu.au Cairns Student Enquiries, SIAS James Cook University PO Box 6811 Cairns QLD 4870 Tel: (07) Fax: (07) E: schoolofindigenousaustralianstudies@jcu.edu.au Website: CRICOS Provider Code: 00117J The information in this brochure is intended as a general guide and was correct at the time of printing. Prospective students should contact the University to confirm admission requirements and availability of courses. JCU reserves the right to alter any course or admission requirement without prior notice. James Cook University Marketing, February 2012

11 Indigenous Student Support at James Cook University James Cook University has a range of support services for students, including a number of specific services and resources for Indigenous students such as the Indigenous Student Support staff. The Indigenous Student Support Officers provide the following services. Services available vary depending on your study area. Work integrated learning through the Indigenous Cadetships and Internships available Supplementary income via the Indigenous Cadetship Support Scholarships including residential scholarship to assist students requiring accommodation coming from remote communities Access academic support Tertiary Access Course, a bridging course UniPrep short courses for new students Pastoral and Counselling referrals Social and cultural gatherings ie Student BBQs & NAIDOC Orientation Week Indigenous introductory program Assist students to access welfare assistance and accommodation Textbook access through the library or second hand texts within the faculty Time management & planning to assist students manage their study program, work, family and social life ITAS Tutorial Support which provides students with personal tutors. The Indigenous Support staff are based within every faculty on both the and Cairns campuses and their contact details are: FACULTY OF LAW BUSINESS & CREATIVE ARTS Florence Onus (07) florence.onus@jcu.edu.au Cairns Robyn Boucher (07) robyn.boucher@jcu.edu.au FACULTY OF ARTS, EDUCATION & SOCIAL SCIENCES Josephine Bourne (07) Education Arts & Social Sciences josephine.bourne@jcu.edu.au Dorothy Savage (07) (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-2:30pm) dorothy.savage@jcu.edu.au Lyn Munns (07) (Mon-Wed, 8.30am 3.00pm) Social Work lyn.munns@jcu.edu.au FACULTY OF SCIENCE & ENGINEERING Lynette Reed (07) (Mon 9am-1pm, Tues & Wed 9-5) lyn.reed@jcu.edu.au SCHOOL OF INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN STUDIES Cairns Donna Busch (07) donna.busch@jcu.edu.au INDIGENOUS TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEME (ITAS) Louise Wason (07) lesley.wason@jcu.edu.au Cairns Carly McEwan (07) carly.mcewan@jcu.edu.au FACULTY OF MEDICINE, HEALTH & MOLECULAR SCIENCES Cairns Indigenous Health Unit Student Support Karen Maza (07) karen.maza@jcu.edu.au or ihu@jcu.edu.au Indigenous Health Careers Access Officers Joanne Hinch (07) joanne.hinch@jcu.edu.au Robyn Boucher (07) robyn.boucher@jcu.edu.au EDDIE KOIKI MABO LIBRARY Nathan Miller (07) nathan.miller@jcu.edu.au FOR SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION GO TO AND CLICK ON INDIGENOUS

12 Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) You may ask what is ITAS? The Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme offers extra tutoring to assist Indigenous Australian tertiary students enrolled at James Cook University, either at or Cairns campuses. This scheme arranges for qualified tutors to assist Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with their studies. This assistance may be required for a short time, block, or a semester. Tutoring contracts are renewable from semester to semester. This is solely dependent upon what the student requests, as the length of the arrangement depends on the needs of the student. Sometimes the tutor will work with two or more students who have similar identified needs within their chosen field of study. What assistance is available? Tertiary students may be approved for up to two hours per subject per week. If necessary, tertiary students who are already accessing the ITAS program are able to apply for additional tuition during examination preparation week. The maximum extra entitlement that can be accessed is up to five (5) hours overall in total for the duration of the examination preparation break. Assistance is not available for personal interest tutoring such as private music lessons and sports coaching. Approved students are eligible for a materials and equipment allowance of up to $50.00 each year to assist with the purchase of materials or equipment essential for the success of the tutorial program. Payments are made on a reimbursement basis, and claims, countersigned by the tutor, should be submitted after the first tutoring session. Tutoring payment claims are to be countersigned by the student to verify that the tuition has taken place, and are to be submitted by the tutor on a fortnightly basis to the ITAS Coordinator,. Who is eligible for tutorial assistance? To be eligible for assistance through ITAS, JCU students must: Be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent; Identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; Be accepted as such by the community in which he/she lives or has lived; Enrolled in a formal education or structured formal training program at James Cook University, to which the tuition requested is directly related; And assessed as likely to benefit from the ITAS tutoring program. How do you apply? If you believe that you could benefit from ITAS tuition, you must complete an ITAS Student Application Form and send it to your nearest School of Indigenous Australian Studies, James Cook University either at or Cairns campus. Please complete all forms online, print and sign before handing to an ITAS Officer. Staff Information Ms Louise Wason ITAS Co-coordinator/Project Officer Phone: (07) Fax: (07) Lesley.Wason@jcu.edu.au

13 Get into Uni NQ CSIRO Education James Cook University has partnered with NQ CSIRO Education to provide free, in-school science enrichment opportunities for Years All programs are hands-on and require a moderate level of proficiency in reading and recording. Programs available: Biotechnology- DNA to the Max (most suitable for Yrs 10-11) CSIRO s BARLEYmax is a premium grain much sought after for its health benefits. However, in a world of sham and deceit, food adulteration is commonplace. Students perform a DNA extraction and use gel electrophoresis to investigate a food adulteration scenario. Australian Curriculum Links: ACSSU184, ACSIS170 Robotics Challenge (most suitable for Yrs 8-11) Using NXT robotics, students program their own robots to perform a series of challenges aligned to the operation of the Mars Rovers. Students will learn how to use various sensors. Australian Curriculum Links: ACSHE228 EcoEnigma (most suitable for Yrs 9-11) Students become a team of scientists asked to provide an environmental impact report to a community with environmental problems. They measure heavy metals in shellfish, analyse river silt, explore why fish stocks are declining and recommend an action plan. Australian Curriculum Links: ACSSU176, ACSIS174 Cattle Duffing Forensics (most suitable for Yrs 8-11) When 50 suspected stolen head of cattle are seized from a sales yard, the Stock Squad launches a full scale investigation. Students work in small teams to examine and analyse evidence ranging from rifling marks, dental impressions, entomology specimens, blood, fibre and glass fragments to help solve the crime. Australian Curriculum Links: ACSIS174 Nanotechnology (most suitable for Yrs 9-11) Only available in Term 4 Students will gain an appreciation of processes at the nano-scale and learn that nano-materials have different properties compared to bulk materials. They learn about the innovations nanotechnology has brought to areas such as health and medicine, consumer products, energy and the environment. Australian Curriculum Links: ACSHE161 Other science and technology programs are available on request which do not require a high proficiency level in reading and recording, such as: Squishy Circuit Electronics; Making and Testing Catapults; Stop Motion Animation; Squid Dissection; Star Lab/Telescope Viewing. For further information, contact: School Engagement Elise Barrow Equity and Student Engagement, JCU State Manager North Queensland P: E: GetIntoUni@jcu.edu.au North Queensland CSIRO Education P: (07) E: elise.barrow@csiro.au