USQ provides city experience for 'bush' students

Mentoring teenagers from rural areas inspires USQ Education student Lorrae Charles.

So when the pre-service teacher from Cambooya - and self-professed country girl - considered volunteering for this year’s Priority Country Area Program Enrichment Camp, (PCAP) the decision was not a difficult one to make.

'I wanted to assist with the camp again, as I had such a great time last year,' Lorrae said.

'It’s good to see the transformation from the kids, they really come out of their shells and they get to see the differences between coming into the city and life at home.

'At first they’re all shy and don’t know anyone but by the end of the week they’ve made new friends and are comfortable with you.'

This year’s PCAP Enrichment Camp, to be held next week, will attract 60 high school students from across South-West Queensland and from 16 different schools as far away as Charleville, Cunnamulla, Wallumbilla, Roma, Goondiwindi, St George and Tara.

USQ’s Faculty of Education will host the event at the University’s Toowoomba campus, with involvement of staff from the faculties of Education, Engineering, Arts, Business, Law, Student Services and Sciences.

The Year 8 and 9 students will arrive in Toowoomba on Monday 12th July and stay at USQ’s residential colleges until July 16.

USQ Faculty of Education Facilitator, Dr Karen Spence, said the students would have the opportunity to participate in a range of educational, social and cultural activities and experience city life.We are supporting a variety of activities such as ‘ The Trial of Ned Kelly', "Brain Train" and ‘ Measure it- Manage it ’ Dr Spence said.

“The PCAP students have the opportunity to report on ‘Cyclone Sota ', ‘Dance with a Robot’ and be enthralled by the ‘Googie Tower of Terror’.

'While visiting the 'big smoke', the PCAP students will also experience a number of Toowoomba attractions, with a tour of the Empire Theatre, late night shopping and a visit to the Darling Downs Zoo.'

The PCAP event is held annually and provides an important link between rural/remote schools and the tertiary education sector.

'USQ encourages students from country areas to consider further education in Toowoomba after they complete Year 12, so this is an excellent opportunity to positively influence school students from the ‘bush’ and promote teacher employment in rural and remote locations,' Dr Spence said.