Our Outreach Initiatives
Engaging with our communities to widen participation in higher education is a fundamental part of what we do. The new Widening Participation Pathway (WPP) includes: Uni Steps for high school students, Uni Next for non-school leavers, and Children’s University for primary school students. All help to inform and inspire school students, their parents and others across the community to know that the University of Newcastle is here for them.
Children’s University Newcastle
Children’s University Newcastle engages children in learning in its broadest sense. Participating children, between 7 and 14 years, are encouraged to discover new learning experiences outside of the classroom, in their local and regional community and on campus. The children build their own learning program by engaging in extracurricular activities throughout the year, recognising that learning happens everywhere and doesn’t have to be constrained to curriculum.
The University of Newcastle is one of only a handful of universities offering this program in Australia. The program partners with schools across the Hunter, Central and Mid-North Coasts, learning destinations, Out of Home Care organisations and colleagues at the University of Newcastle to facilitate exciting learning opportunities for children in our communities.
Participants who reach 30 hours of learning, collected in their Children's University Passports, are invited to attend a formal graduation ceremony to celebrate and acknowledge the children (and their supporters) and their commitment to learning. In 2019, the University of Newcastle welcomed over 5000 community members across six separate ceremonies. Children’s University Newcastle is a member of Children’s University Australasia.
Uni Steps
UNI STEPS is a portfolio of learning experiences/engagements for local school aged students and community members to engage with the University, to include but not limited to a mix of on campus/ community learning/ online learning/in school/industry experiences. The University is engaging with students at pivotal decision times in their learning journey.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.