The first Circular Head students graduated from Children's University Tasmania alongside 175 other young people at the Burnie Arts and Function Centre last Tuesday 26 November.
They celebrated achieving 24,714 collective hours of extracurricular learning with peers who had travelled from as far as Strahan, Queenstown and Ulverstone for the ceremony.
Children’s University has been running across the state since 2015 through the Peter Underwood Centre at the University of Tasmania. Schools in Forest and Smithton joined this year with support from the Study Centre Circular Head.
The Director of the Peter Underwood Centre, Leanne McLean, said Children’s University provides a unique connection between young people and the University of Tasmania by providing interesting ways for children to explore their natural love of learning.
“It is particularly exciting this year to welcome children, young people and their families from Circular Head into the program. Children and young people right across Tasmania, including our more remote areas, share a love of learning. It’s wonderful to see opportunities being provided in Circular Head in the same way they are provided in more populated areas. It is a testament to the extraordinary efforts of the Children’s University team, the array of Learning Destination partners in the area, as well as families, friends, and carers that so many hours of learning have been achieved.”
The Manager of Children's University Tasmania, Georgia Sutton, said the initiative inspires kids aged 7-14 to take part in learning opportunities outside the classroom, in addition to their regular schoolwork. Students graduate once they have completed at least 30 hours in the program.
“We are cheerleaders for kids in Tasmania, encouraging children and young people to follow their curiosity and try new things.”
Families also enjoy attending the formal ceremonies. One parent attending a Children's University graduation in Hobart in early November said, “The gowns and graduating really get the kids involved and is a fantastic approach. But the best part is how flexible it is, we are able to stay engaged because of the wide recognition of hours for sports clubs, arts clubs, and self-learning."
Further ceremonies took place in Devonport and Launceston last week, bringing the total number of students graduating in 2024 from Children’s University Tasmania to 818.
Image credit: Richard Jupe