Students graduate from TPP in Schools program

Seventeen local high school students have the skills to undertake higher education, following their graduation from the Tertiary Preparation Program (TPP) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Springfield Campus.

Students from Woodcrest College, Redbank Plains State High School and St Augustine College were the first to graduate from the landmark program, which was redesigned for Year 11 students hoping to continue their education following High School.

USQ School Liaison Manager Margo Baas said the program was also a new way for the University to reach out to local schools.

'The feedback from students and schools so far has been fantastic,' Ms Baas said.

'The TPP provides students with a taste of the preparation required for university, including academic reading, writing and research. It is designed to prepare them for tertiary studies and I commend the students for undertaking the program - it really is a great achievement."

Ms Baas said USQ Springfield campus would offer the program to Year 11 students again next year and would also offer Year 12 students the opportunity to undertake a university subject as part of its Head Start program from Semester 1.

'Year 12 students will have the opportunity pick up a mainstream University subject from any USQ Springfield campus program on offer.

'They will sit in USQ classrooms alongside first year university students, read the same textbooks, complete the same assignments and be graded at the same level as other first year students.

'They will also receive the same credit as first year students and will be guaranteed entry into USQ providing they have completed pre-requisite subjects and have successfully completed Year 12.'

Woodcrest College Year 11 student Natalie De Guzman was among the 17 students to graduate from the 2007 Tertiary Preparation Program.

'The TPP has been straight forward and also challenging at the same time, but I have been able to email or call to get help when I needed it,' Natalie said.

She said she was encouraged to take part in the program by her school and her sister, who is studying a Bachelor of Business at USQ Springfield campus.

'We moved to Springfield Lakes from Darwin just over a year ago, so on top of giving me the opportunity to learn about academic study the program has also given me opportunities to get to know other students at my school.'

Natalie plans to complete a Bachelor of Nursing when she finishes Year 12.

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