2016 UNSW Indigenous Winter School
Once again , the annual 2016 UNSW Indigenous Winter School Program will take place on the 4th of July . This year , 110 high school students , in years 10 , 11 & 12 will visit UNSW from all states of Australia , excluding the ACT .
When applying , students had a choice to participate in one of 11 faculty areas , all of which provide a timetable that includes a combination of in-class sessions as well as practical activities and / or excursions and industry visits . The faculty areas involved in this year ’ s program include Built Environment , Business , Education , Engineering , Law , Medicine , Science , Performing Arts , Social Work , Indigenous Studies and Visual Arts .
Some of the activities for each Faculty will include a field trip to the Sydney Opera House for Built Environment , a Pitch in a Lift activity for Business , a visit to Bundeena National Park for Education , a tour of the ABC Centre in Ultimo for Engineering , a Botanical Garden tour for Indigenous Studies , a visit to Gilbert & Tobin Law Firm for Law , an excursion to St Vincent ’ s Hospital Emergency Department for Medicine , dance and creative workshops for Performing Arts , an excursion to the Museum of Human Disease for Science , sessions on Refugees in Australia for Social Work and Digital Imaging and Printmaking for Visual Arts .
The Winter School Program aims to provide participants with an understanding of their chosen faculty , information on studying at UNSW and an insight into future career paths .
Vanessa Turnbull Roberts , a current UNSW and Nura Gili student , has participated in and been a Supervisor for the UNSW Indigenous Winter School . She was also the recipient of the 2014 Winter School ‘ Spirit Award ’. “ My favourite memory at Winter School would have to be the relationships formed with some incredible people . I met some of my closest friends , who I still keep in close contact with today ,” said Vanessa .
During her time as a Winter School Student Supervisor of the Performing Arts group , Vanessa recalls the students ’ passion and drive for education and culture . “ I had the opportunity to watch all these incredible young people grow in five days which is something that I ’ ll always hold close to me ,” she said .
Cheryl Ah-See , the Winter School Coordinator , spoke of how Winter School introduces Indigenous students to opportunities that they aren ’ t aware are available to them after high school . “ So many students tell us each year that they never thought of University as an option for them , or that they don ’ t believe they ’ re smart enough to go to uni , but Winter School changes all that ,” said Cheryl .
Since its establishment in 2002 , Winter School has been a major influence in the students ’ decision to study at UNSW . “ Since 2010 , around 800 students have participated in the program and almost 120 ended up studying at UNSW . Of our current cohort , 29 % came through the Winter School ,” Cheryl explained .
Each year Student Supervisors and staff dedicate a week of their time to Winter School , not including the months of preparation prior to the program . This year there are 41 Staff and Student Supervisors involved in the Winter School Program including : the Winter School Program Coordinator , Cheryl Ah-See ; Day Coordinators , Summa Naylor and Rebekah Torrens ; Night Coordinators , Leearna Williams and Scott Parlett ; and Senior Supervisors , Lucinda Stewart and Guy Dennis .
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