Children's University Newcastle Launches

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

An international program piloted in schools across Newcastle, the Hunter and Central Coast last year is now available for all children and their families to join.

Children's University Newcastle logo

Children’s University Newcastle is being implemented by the University of Newcastle (UON) and allows students aged 7-14 from across the region to take part in extra-curricular activities and have their learning validated in issued Passports.

The program is designed to develop confidence and aspiration in children outside school hours by accessing a variety of extra learning opportunities at local learning destination providers.

A Passport Day was held at Cessnock Public School on Wednesday where over 170 students received their Passports and explored a range of activities across fields such as music, coding, law, education and architecture, as well as juggling and horse care.

Cessnock Regional Art Gallery and Cessnock Library have come on board as local Learning Destinations to support Children’s University Newcastle and Bunnings also ran a planting workshop on the day.

The community has gotten behind the initiative with parents making Passport covers for the students and Cessnock Public School will develop clubs for students to join in their lunch times.

“We have enrolled all 180 primary students to participate in this wonderful adventure of learning as we strongly believe all children should share in this vision of their future. With the assistance of Children’s University Newcastle Coordinator, Selina Darney, our launch featured 14 available Learning Destinations. This means our students are able to access quality activities that enhance their whole development,” said Cessnock Public School Principal, Jenny Rozynski.

Children involved will work towards 30 hours of learning outside the classroom for a Graduation Ceremony being held at the University of Newcastle’s Great Hall in October.

UON is one of only three universities offering this program in Australia.

Children’s University Newcastle is a member of Children’s University Australia.


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