Year 11 students set for taste of university life: Senior Schools Day

More than 1,300 Year 11 students will participate in Senior Schools Day at Southern Cross University to be held across two campuses - Lismore campus on Friday, October 22 and at the Coffs Harbour campus on Tuesday, October 26.

Senior Schools Day is designed to provide an opportunity for current Year 11 students to gain an insight into: how to enrol; what opportunities might be available to support them in their university endeavours; what are the different university study options that are available; and what life might look like in around 18 months time.

Southern Cross University student recruitment officer for the Lismore campus, Glenn Jeffery said Seniors Schools Day represented a timely opportunity for students who were starting to narrow their focus towards their final year of high school.

“Around this stage of their high school education they are usually very keen to find out as much as they can about what might lie ahead. That’s why Senior Schools Day starts with a general session where we look at all the basics like, ‘how do I apply to university’, ‘what is an early entry scheme’, ‘what scholarships are available’, ‘am I eligible’ and ‘what about the fun bits’?” Mr Jefferey said.

“Over the course of the day the students also have the opportunity to participate in two course sessions. This gives them the chance to focus on two study areas with the relevant academic staff - so they might do the first session in education and the second session in music. During these sessions they find out what studying a particular course might involve; what the facilities at the University are like; and what career paths might be open to them if they choose that degree.

“Finally, the students will attend a panel session hosted by current students so they can hear what they have to look forward to and what things they might want to think about as they make their final decision about their future education. They can also ask any questions they might have.”

Careers adviser at Woolgoolga High School, Jeff Allen, said Senior Schools Day helps Year 11 students to define their goals.

“The timing is important because these Year 11 students are currently finalising their Year 12 course units and setting their career and study plans in place,” Mr Allen said.

“This year we had more than 40 of our Year 12 students apply for the STAR Early Entry Scheme, which is a school recommendation to a Southern Cross University degree. Each year we see more and more of our students are considering a local option rather than moving away to cities or other regions.”

Senior Schools Day is being held on the Lismore campus on Friday, October 22 from 10am to 2pm. Students from the following schools will be attending: Alstonville High School; Ballina High School; Banora Point High School; Byron Bay High School; Bonalbo central; Casino High School; Kadina High School; Kyogle High School; Lismore High School; Maclean High School; Mullumbimby High School; Nimbin Central High School; Richmond River High School; St Marys High School Casino; Trinity Catholic College; Tweed River High School ; Southern Cross K-12 School; and Kingscliff High School.

There will be a record 850 students attending the Senior Schools Day at the Coffs Harbour campus on Tuesday, October 26 from 9.45am to 2pm. Students from a the following schools will be attending: Clarence Valley Anglican School; Catherine McAuley College; St Andrews Christian School; Grafton High School; South Grafton High School; Woolgoolga High School; Bellingen High School; Bishop Druitt College; Coffs Harbour Senior College; John Paul College; Orara High School; Coffs Harbour Christian Community; Coffs Harbour High School; Toormina High School; Nambucca High School; Macksville High School: Bowraville Central School: Kempsey High School; Melville High School; St Pauls College; MacKillop Senior Campus; St Josephs Regional College; Camden Haven High School; Wauchope High School; Chatham High School; Taree Christian School; Taree High School; Wingham High School; Great Lakes College; Gloucester High School; and Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School.

For information on the Lismore campus contact Glenn Jeffery, student recruitment officer, Southern Cross University on 66203102 or via email glenn.jeffery@scu.edu.au

For information on the Coffs Harbour campus contact Meegan McHugh, student recruitment officer, Southern Cross University Office on 6659 3920 or via email meegan.mchugh@scu.edu.au

Media are invited to attend Archive Photo: Senior Schools Day on the Lismore campus.