Children’s University Graduation celebrates young scholars’ learning milestones

School children from Northern Territory schools got a taste of university graduation at the Children’s University graduation ceremony at Charles Darwin University (CDU) on November 11.

Young scholars from St Paul’s Catholic, Ludmilla and Manunda Terrace Primary Schools put on academic gowns and threw mortarboard caps up in the air to celebrate their learning milestones at a formal Children’s University Graduation at CDU.

Children’s University has been running at CDU since 2018 to support children to learn actively outside of classrooms.

The program is extending to six schools in the Darwin and Palmerston regions and launching in the Alice Springs region in 2022.

Through a network of accredited and quality assured ‘Learning Destinations’, Children’s University students accumulate hours of learning and receive stamps in their ‘Passport to Learning’.

CDU’s Master of Teaching (Primary) students volunteer in the program, helping children identify learning opportunities and supporting Children’s University school coordinators.

The program focuses on nurturing successful, independent learners by promoting fun, open-ended learning, encouraging children to try out new activities, discover new passions and visit new places.

CDU Director of Student Engagement Sarah Fletcher said it was important that all Northern Territory children were aware of the opportunities available to them to attend university locally.  

“By providing fun and engaging learning activities outside of the classroom and linking those experiences to what happens here at university, we can show young Territorians the range of educational pathways available to them,” Ms Fletcher said.

“The Children’s University Graduation, held here on campus, is a great event and a taster to show young people that they can be clever and can succeed no matter who they are and where they are located in the Territory.”

Minister for Education the Hon. Lauren Moss MLA attended the graduation ceremony to congratulate the young scholars on their achievements.

More information about Children’s University at CDU can be found here: cdu.edu.au/childrens-university