Aboriginal students immersed in UNDA learning

24 Jul 2013

By The Record

Indigenous students from Trinity, Aquinas, Kolbe, and Presbyterian Ladies Colleges at UNDA Fremantle. PHOTO: Univeristy of Notre Dame Australia
Indigenous students from Trinity, Aquinas, Kolbe, and Presbyterian Ladies Colleges at UNDA Fremantle. PHOTO: Univeristy of Notre Dame Australia

Learning the basics of fitness testing and how to successfully undertake an intravenous saline flush were just some of the activities that were part of the A Day in the Life (ADITL): Indigenous Program at The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Fremantle campus in June.

Indigenous students from Trinity College, Aquinas College, Kolbe Catholic College and Presbyterian Ladies College were invited to tour the University’s Fremantle campus, see the historic buildings, engage with current students and staff, and experience a typical day in the life of a university student.

In addition to the Health Sciences and Nursing activities, the students participated in a lecture on ‘The Impact of United Nations Human Rights Law on Australia: Indigenous Peoples’ Rights’ delivered by the Dean of the School of Law, Fremantle, Professor Doug Hodgson.

Patrick Hampton and Glenda Cain from the University’s School of Education in Fremantle also shared with students the exciting learning and cultural experiences of Notre Dame’s pre-service teachers in schools across the State.

Head of Indigenous Health Curriculum in the Fremantle School of Medicine, Associate Professor Clive Walley, said the idea stemmed from his interest in Aboriginal students boarding in some of Perth’s private schools and his personal experience of being a boarder many years ago.

“The goal of the event is to give students in Years 11 and 12 an overview of university life at Notre Dame and to encourage them to consider tertiary education after leaving high school,” Assoc Prof Walley said.

“The core element of the day was the experiential learning provided by Notre Dame and the opportunity to engage with students from other schools.”

Year 11 student at Aquinas College, Clifton Morris, appreciated the opportunity to interact with current Notre Dame students and staff during the day.