The Academy has always been proud of its strong connection with a range of tertiary education providers. These connections offer students opportunities to immerse themselves in a range of hands-on experiences that help them consider their future pathway options.
Recently, the Year 12 students from our Essendon and Geelong campus were fortunate enough to come together at the Victoria University (VU) Footscray Park campus and experience a “day in the life” of a university student.
The experiences started early with most students learning how to navigate public transport options to arrive at VU Footscray Park – often the first lesson university students would learn along their journey.
Once on campus, the students and their teachers were met by current VU Student Ambassador, Jade, and were taken on an informative tour of the campus teaching and learning spaces and student facilities. Students got to explore some of the state-of-the-art learning and research technology used in the Engineering and Sports Science department, and heard from a current Engineering PhD student about his geo-engineering project. Students also visited the campus library and learnt about the VU Learning Hubs and how it specifically supports first year students to quickly achieve success in their studies.
Students commented on how their prior thoughts and impressions were challenged by actually being there and seeing what a university was actually like, with many saying it was now somewhere they could seriously see themselves considering as a post-school option.
Students also learnt that attending university isn’t always just about the study. They said how impressed they were with the campus fitness and aquatic centre and the abundance of inviting spaces in which they saw current university students spending time between their classes.
After a brief break for lunch (a highlight for many), the students participated in their first university learning experience when they joined The Academy’s Head of Student Experience and Pathways, Adam White, in a lecture theatre for a lecture on Labour Market Information and how this information may help them plan their future pathways plans.
The Academy and its students would like to thank VU and its Future Students team for an enjoyable and informative experience and would look forward to our future visits.
The students in Year 12 at our Wangaratta campus are scheduled for a visit to Charles Sturt University’s Albury campus for a similar day of university experiences later in term 3.
For more examples and information on The Academy curriculum, CLICK HERE to register to attend an upcoming information session.