Frequently Asked Questions

LIVE IT! targets male students in year 9 who live in NSW from Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) defined Student Equity Target Groups. These are Indigenous and non-Indigenous students:

• with disabilities
• from low socio-economic backgrounds
• from remote and regional areas
• from non-English speaking backgrounds
• who are experiencing exceptional circumstances

120 year 9 boys from across the state will be chosen to attend LIVE IT!

Applicants experiencing exceptional circumstances will also be considered for LIVE IT! Contact the LIVE IT! Coordination Team on 4921 6547 or email liveit@newcastle.edu.au to discuss his application.

Yes, he should. One of LIVE IT!’s objectives is to motivate students who have the potential (this may be currently unrealised) to study and succeed in Years 11 and 12. Talk to his Welfare Teacher,, Year 9 Adviser, Careers Adviser or Aboriginal Education Officer and ask them to support his application.

LIVE IT! covers all accommodation, meals (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner and supper) and excursions. There are a number of vending machines from which students can purchase drinks, chips and snacks etc. Students wanting to use these machines need to bring a small amount of money. Transport costs to and from LIVE IT! are the responsibility of parents/guardians and or schools.

In the past, students have organised small fundraising events like raffles or Trivia Nights to help cover the costs of attendance. If you think you need assistance, you or the supporting teacher may contact LIVE IT! Coordination Team to discuss your situation and possible options including the cost of LIVE IT! being waived upon written application.

Students are welcome to bring their mobile phone or portable electronics or gaming devices (e.g iPod’s) to LIVE IT!. However, they will not be allowed to use these devices during workshop sessions and day and evening activities out of respect for the presenters and others in their group. Any students caught using their phones/devices during the activities will be given warnings, with the third warning resulting in immediate removal from LIVE IT!. The LIVE IT! Coordination team accepts no responsibility for damage or loss of such items. LIVE IT! offers participants the opportunity to develop their resilience and independence, as well as the opportunity to establish new friendships. Should families need to contact students in the case of an emergency, the LIVE IT! Coordinators are contactable 24hrs a day.

Students will be supervised 24 hours a day, with a ratio of ten students to one staff member in the day, and nine students to one staff member in the evening. All LIVE IT! staff are employed by the university and undergo the Working with Children Background Check and a Staff Induction Training Programme. All Activity Supervisors are required to complete the Prohibited Employment Declaration Form. In addition, The University of Newcastle has its own 24 hour Security Service.

Yes,provided any dietary requirements are advised before the commencement of LIVE IT! using the paperwork provided to successful applicants. This should also include information about braces or physical conditions that may impact of the kinds of food the students can eat.

Where indicated, reasonable steps are taken to enable a student with a disability to participate on the same basis as a student without a disability. Any information which is provided is treated confidentially. All venues used during LIVE IT are wheelchair accessible. We also provide wheelchair accessible accommodation. When participating in field trips suitable transport is arranged for the student. The staff to student ratio is increased for students requiring additional support. Please advise the LIVE IT! coordination team should your son/ward require additional support.

Yes, as long as they are able to manage the medication themselves. If the student is accepted into LIVE IT! they will need to provide a list of all medications required as well as a detailed description of their medical condition. This information is sent to The University Health Service (a medical General Practice) and will be made available to any other medical practioner as required, for example if a student requires medical attention from NSW Ambulance or a hospital emergency department.

Warabrook train station is the designated train station for students travelling from Scone and Maitland. Broadmeadow station is the designated train station for student travelling on Country Link or rail services from the Central Coast. It is approximately 15 minutes drive from the University. For students travelling via bus, the bus terminal is located in adjacent to Newcastle railway station. Williamtown Airport is approx. 25 mins away from the campus.

The Girls’ Choices Summer School operates a shuttle bus from public transport hubs to the University. Successful applicants will be asked to complete travel plans detailing their travel arrangements to and from Newcastle. Students will be met and transported to the University in the University Shuttle bus. This service will also operate for departures at the end of the Girls’ Choices Summer School.

Warabrook train station is the designated train station for students travelling from Scone and Maitland. Broadmeadow station is the designated train station for student travelling on Country Link or rail services from the Central Coast. It is approximately 15 minutes drive from the University. For students travelling via bus, the bus terminal is located in adjacent to Newcastle railway station. Williamtown Airport is approx. 25 mins away from the campus. Students will be collected from the transport hubs and driven to the university.

This is a decision you as a parent/guardian need to make. Each student is responsible for their own travel to and from the University. Country Link Rail Services will be made aware of the event; i.e. that a number of students 15 and 16 years of age may be travelling unaccompanied. You can inform Country Link Rail Services that your son/ward is travelling unaccompanied and they will note this on the passenger manifest.

LIVE IT! operates a shuttle bus from public transport hubs to the University. Successful applicants will be asked to complete travel plans detailing their travel arrangements to and from Newcastle. Students will be met and transported to the University in the University Shuttle bus. This service will also operate for departures at the end of LIVE IT!.

In the event of an Emergency, Security Personnel (all First Aid trained) are called and they decide whether or not additional assistance is required. The closest hospital is 5 minutes from the University, and an Emergency Paediatric Unit 15 minutes away. The emergency contact (to be provided if application accepted) will be contacted and advised of the situation.

No. All participants are required to stay for the entire duration of LIVE IT!.