Year 10 students to taste uni life
First published 29 June, 2012
Year 10 students from all over Northern Queensland will take part in the first residential camp at James Cook University next week.
The camp will take place on JCU’s Townsville campus from Monday July 2 to Friday July 6.
56 students (and support teachers) from across North and Far North Queensland are attending, from a total of 17 schools.
Emma Thomas, Manager of JCU’s Social Inclusion Unit, said the university was holding the residential camp to provide a first-hand experience of university life for Year 10 students.
“JCU is committed to increasing aspirations and opportunities for students who are currently under-represented at university,” she said.
“Our target students for the camp are those from our priority schools and include students from Indigenous, rural and remote backgrounds.”
Students who have been identified by their teachers as having the academic ability and potential to consider university study have been invited to attend.
Ms Thomas said during the week, students would take part in activities with current JCU students and JCU staff.
“The activities are designed to raise awareness of university life and the many possibilities available at university, explore courses and subject areas available at university and matching those with career aspirations,” she said.
“Students will also work with other camp participants as a team to experience group work skills and get involved in creative problem solving, socialise with other camp participants to meet new friends and share experiences.”
Students will sample what it’s like to study different subjects in each of the four JCU Faculties; Science and Engineering, Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences, Arts, Education and Social Sciences and Law, Business, and the Creative Arts.
“We aim to provide students with a taster to help shape their career aspirations and assist with subject choices in their senior schooling years.”
Ms Thomas said the JCU Student Association would also be on hand to makes sure the camp was educational, exciting and fun.
“We have a great range of activities to help participants to get to know each other. They will be working together with their peers on team challenges and there will be time at the end of each day to talk with our student ambassadors and relax with their new friends.”
JCU Vice-Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding will make a brief opening address on Monday July 2 and Queensland’s Minister for Science, IT, Innovation and the Arts, Ros Bates will also be present.
The residential camp is fully funded by JCU, which includes all accommodation, meals and travel expenses. Travel arrangements will be made by the students’ school and family and JCU will reimburse all travel costs.
Students will stay on campus, at JCU Townsville. All meals and accommodation will be provided at St Mark’s College in single bedrooms equipped with a study desk and wardrobe and bathrooms are shared.
There are separate floors for males and females and teachers and JCU staff will also be accommodated on site at St Mark’s College to provide support where needed.
Education Queensland teachers, JCU staff and trained student ambassadors who are current students at JCU will deliver activities and provide student support where needed.
Students from the following schools will be attending:
All Souls St Gabriel's School
Charters Towers SHS
Spinifex College
Gordonvale SHS
Thuringowa SHS
Kirwan SHS
Cooktown SHS
Mossman SHS
Proserpine SHS
Home Hill SHS
Collinsville SHS
Ravenshoe SHS
Mareeba SHS
Dimbulah State School
Heatley State College
Kowanyama State School
Western Cape College
For more information or interviews please contact: Emma Thomas, Manager, Social Inclusion Unit at JCU, 0417 636 816 or 0421 643 157.
JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175
Jim O'Brien of 776staff last updated this page on 31 May 2013.
