Children’s University Australia (CUA) aims to provide high-quality outside of school activities to children, engaging the wider community as learning partners in this process.An important principle of Children’s University is that participation is voluntary and is intentionally something other than school related activities.
The learning opportunities and activities must take place outside normal school hours. For example, after school, weekends and holidays and aims to provide high quality, voluntary educational experiences for children from Year 2. It is about developing a hunger for and love of learning, building confidence and fostering aspirations in all children.
The University of Adelaide runs the program here in Adelaide, and in conjunction with their Children’s University team, we aim to support aspirations and develop a love of learning.
Children in Year 2 – 6 participating in Children’s University will receive a ‘Passport to Learning’ where they record their individual learning journey. These passports are checked by our CUA Coordinator and after 30 hours of learning, children may be rewarded for their participation with certificates and may attend a graduation ceremony often held on the grounds of the University of Adelaide.
Students are enrolled in the Children’s University program in Term 1 of each year. New participants to the program will then receive their Passport to Learning. Hours can be accrued up until approximately the end of the Term 3 holidays each year. Much like a normal passport, children are asked to carry their passports with them to all Children's University activities. When the students complete an activity, they will receive a stamp/sticker in their passport to record their participation. Passports are an important part of the program as they act as motivation for the students to get involved and allow them to compare their achievements with their friends.
Please note families are unable to verify activities in passports themselves. If this occurs the hours will not count towards any graduation total. Students are responsible for their passports. If a passport is lost/misplaced all records of activities attended is also lost. Replacement of passports incurs a cost.
Children’s University is not compulsory and there is an annual fee. There is no expectation to renew each year, although children may choose to participate from Years 2-6.
There are two types of Learning Destinations that can potentially be ‘validated’ activities. The first is ‘restricted activities’ available at school and therefore not open to the general public. In the past, this has included activities like before Chess Club and after-school Mandarin Club. Please check the school website for any activities that may be currently available.
The second are places and organisations to which children can ‘travel’ with their passport to learn, after school, on weekends and during school holidays. For example, The SA Art Gallery, Bounce and many more. The Children’s University Australasia website provides a snapshot of the types of Learning Destinations on offer but you can also follow them on Facebook for more information on what’s happening within our learning community network.
For further information you can visit the Children’s University website:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/childrensuniversity/
https://cuaustralasia.com/
We have chosen to offer this program to students at Star of the Sea to support families to develop a love of learning and open their eyes to the endless possibilities that await children in their futures.
Communication for Children's University will be via our school website, QKR app or parent email. Resources such as Learning Destination Forms, and holiday activity sheets will be made available on the Children's University website for you to access and print as required.
Our Children’s University Coordinator is Kim Martin.