BRIDGING THE RURAL DIVIDE

A Careers Camp for Cobram Anglican Grammar School Year 11 students, along with local training opportunities, are helping to reduce the barriers to further education and employment faced by many rural students.

Careers Advisor Jade Drew said the careers camp to Melbourne was often a critical reference point for students when beginning to plot their future beyond Year 12.

“With Cobram located more than three hours from Melbourne, students relish the opportunity to immerse themselves in the higher education experience and get a better feel of which university would suit not only their educational needs, but also their lifestyle needs,” she said.

to empowering students from rural communities by providing more flexibility in how they structure their learning environment, so it best suits their needs and aspirations.

“Students from rural areas often face unique barriers when it comes to accessing higher education or employment. Through a range of initiatives, Cobram Anglican Grammar School is providing a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape for its students and bridging the gap between the opportunities afforded to students in major cities, versus those in rural communities,” he said.

Ms Drew recently accompanied the Year 11 students to Melbourne to visit and tour several of the city’s leading university institutions such as Deakin, Swinburne, Monash and RMIT, as well as ACU and Federation University in the City of Ballarat. The camp also included attendance at the VCE and Careers Expo.

Year 11 student Jett Robbins said he found the experience reassuring, discovering that he could study things he enjoyed such as dance and creative writing. The tour had provided him with two favourite university options. In Ballarat, Xavier Greatorex was impressed by ACU’s small campus charm and community feel.

Principal Keith Willett said the school was committed

A range of training and workplace opportunities is offered within the school curriculum. Students in Year 10-12 can access vocational courses through the VET Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS) program and the School’s partnership with local providers GOTAFE Shepparton and Wodonga TAFE.

The growing School Based Apprenticeship (SBA) Traineeship program is another alternative pathway designed to enhance student knowledge, skills and long-term employment prospects. Ten students are currently completing an SBA in a diverse range of industries including agriculture, electrotechnology, baking, sport and recreation and civil construction.