Geraldton Universities Centre helps guide Year 12 students to uni through alternative pathway

The first round of Year 12 students from a new program at Geraldton Universities Centre (GUC) has crossed the finish line on their year-long studies, with all students receiving offers from universities. The group of seven students from Geraldton Senior High School and Champion Bay Senior High School became involved with the Curtin University UniReady program in February, at the beginning of the school year. The program serves as an alternative pathway to ATAR or general studies, allowing students to complete their chosen subjects during the week, spending Fridays at GUC completing two university units per semester. The units helped the students develop essential skills in communication, academic writing, humanities and health sciences. Champion Bay student Keely Giba said she had enjoyed the course thoroughly. “You can actually live. Your life isn’t consumed by ATAR and you get treated like an adult. You have a bit more responsibility and freedom,” she said. GUC Director Natalie Nelmes said the inaugural course had proven successful, with 17 students expressing intentions to participate in it next year, more than doubling this year’s numbers. Program coordinator and tutor Melanie Jodah said she had seen amazing academic and character development in the students since engaging with the program. “The boost in their critical thinking and resilience, and their growth mindset has been phenomenal. To see their personal growth from discussion and debate in the program, it helps them find their voice for uni,” she said. Champion Bay principal Julie Campbell said there was a strong focus on growing the program, which staff recognised as one of the most practically beneficial courses for Year 12s. “You can see a massive difference in the confidence of the students. You just see them realise that they’ve got this, they know what to do. It’s providing them an opportunity to study at a tertiary institution so they know what to expect,” she said. All students involved in the program received offers from universities to study in 2024, but some students have opted to take a gap year and start in 2025. Champion Bay student Chelsea Routledge will be studying social work with CQ University through their established partnership with GUC. She said the program had helped her make the jump to university by letting her see what uni was like, as well as realising she could study in Geraldton and didn’t need to move out of home. Ms Nelmes celebrated the program which is keeping essential workers local, injecting qualified professionals into the Geraldton work force once they complete their studies.