USQ Springfield and Woodcrest College Sign MoU

Students will be the main beneficiaries of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last week between the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield campus and Woodcrest College.

The MoU focuses on USQ Bachelor of Education students conducting their professional experience with Woodcrest College and assisting with college activities.

USQ Springfield Director Doug Fraser said Bachelor of Education (Health and Physical Education – HPE) students would assist the school in a number of capacities.

'They will help with organising and conducting school sporting carnivals and undertake coaching training at the school,' Mr Fraser said.

'They will also gain hands on teaching experience by supporting HPE school staff during lessons and coaching and officiating in extra curricular sports.

'Woodcrest College is a neighbour to USQ and we are very pleased to form this partnership which will benefit both institutions.'

Mr Fraser said the memorandum of understanding would enable USQ and Woodcrest College to develop a framework that would produce experienced teachers and greatly support school staff on a weekly basis.

Acting Executive Principal of Woodcrest College, Llew Paulger said the enhancement of the partnership between community's local state school and the University would provide positive outcomes for students from Prep through to year 12. 

'Having the trainee teachers working closely with the Woodcrest College teachers and students will further enhance the learning opportunities and outcomes for our students,' Mr Paulger said. 

'It also gives the student teachers more "real-life' experiences to enhance their learning while challenging teachers to review and evaluate their classroom practice continually. 

'The students of the Woodcrest College community stand to gain from this partnership and we are looking forward to it starting in 2008.'

Media Contact:  Jo-Ann Sparrow, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4119 or 0428 102 979