The University of Western Australia has celebrated the graduation of its first group of Children’s University students, with some students completing more than 130 hours of learning.

The 21 graduates – from Cooloongup Primary School, Rockingham Beach Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School in Pinjarra – were joined by family, teachers and Children’s University staff as they marched down UWA’s Winthrop Hall.

“Children’s University gets students out in their communities with their families, binding the community together while supporting education and raising aspirations.”

Professor David Sadler

Each student was presented with their graduation certificate by the Commissioner for Children and Young People Colin Pettit, who is the Vice-Chancellor of Children’s University in WA.

Last year, UWA partnered with Edith Cowan University to deliver the Children’s University Australasia program in Western Australia.

The program provides primary school students with access to extra-curricular learning opportunities, nurture aspirations and a love of learning from an early age.

• Read More: UWA and ECU launch Children’s University partnership

UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education, Professor David Sadler said the program was very important because it engaged children in learning outside the formal classroom environment 

“Children’s University gets students out in their communities with their families, binding the community together while supporting education and raising aspirations,” Professor Sadler said.

Children’s University graduate Isabelle from Rockingham Beach Primary School said graduating in Winthrop Hall was an exciting experience.

“One of my favourite experiences while participating in Children’s University was going to a range of different learning destinations and studying so many different topics,” she said.

Professor Sadler said the partnership with ECU allowed the Children’s University program to operate across Western Australia.

“One of our main hopes for the future is to expand the program statewide and engage with more schools, not only in Perth, but in Albany and the Peel region,” he said.

UWA’s Children’s University program is sponsored by Rio Tinto. More information about the program is available on the Children’s University website.

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