Partnerships and Programs

UWS aims to increase educational opportunities, aspirations and achievements, particularly in Greater Western Sydney. By working in collaboration with the school sector, UWS can help to address the sector’s needs, priorities and interests, leading to better outcomes for students.

The Schools Strategic Plan and Action Plan reflect the outcomes of extensive consultations with the school sector. UWS has a Schools Engagement Reference Group of sector representatives to provide ongoing advice and assistance as the plans are implemented. Implementation of the Schools Plans is led and coordinated by the UWS Office of Engagement and Partnerships.

Some key partnerships include:

• Lachlan Macquarie College

• Nirimba 

A selection of programs developed by UWS or those we are participating in, include:

• YSF@UWS science leadership program

• Longneck Lagoon partnership - Bandicoots, Bugs and Bush

• Brewongle partnership - River Ecology

• Fast Forward

• yourtutor Partnership

• Indigenous School Student Mentoring Program

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The School of Education runs many professional development workshops and opportunities throughout the year and is involved in a wide range of collaborative programs with schools. 

Partnerships

Lachlan Macquarie College 

As part of its strategy to build regional capacity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, UWS became a partner in the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET)’s Lachlan Macquarie College initiative.

Lachlan Macquaire College, a dynamic centre of excellence in mathematics and science, develops and provides high quality and innovative programs to improve learning outcomes for public school students of Western Sydney.

These programs are developed to address identified teaching and learning needs within three major strands and their delivery is supported by the availability and application of new, cutting edge technologies in a unique school and tertiary education partnership.

The three major strands are:

Strand 1 - Applied Mathematics and Science

Strand 2 - Specialist Mathematics and Science

Strand 3 - Mathematics and Science Teaching.

For more information on the strands, see Lachlan Macquarie College.

Examples of activities include:

• Statistics and Astronomy online master classes developed in collaboration with the Centre for Learning Innovation
• Gifted and Talented Mathematics Days
• Experience Science Day @ UWS
• The AAS Team Challenge @ UWS
• Stage 3 Mathematics and Science forums via video conferencing
• HSC lecture days
• Tall Poppy Seminars
• Professional Learning Activities via video conferencing
• ESSA Test Report in service

Some activities, such as the HSC lectures, are open to all public school students in the Western Sydney region. For more information contact Mark Grady, College Coordinator at mark.grady@det.nsw.edu.au or see The Lachlan Macquarie College initative.

Nirimba

UWS is a member of the Nirimba Education Precinct, along with Terra Sancta College, Wyndham College and TAFE Nirimba College.

For more information see UWS increases educational opportunities for students in Greater Western Sydney.

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Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Programs

Science leadership program

In conjunction with the National Youth Science Forum (ysf) and Rotary International, UWS hosts the YSF@UWS program at its Hawkesbury and Campbelltown campuses each January. The program includes a range of workshops, tours and hands-on activities in subjects such as chemistry, forensic science, medicine, complementary medicine, science education, engineering, bio-imaging technology, global warming and nanotechnology, as well as youth leadership. 

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Environmental Education Programs

Longneck Lagoon partnership - Bandicoots, Bugs and Bush

This two-day enrichment program at the UWS Hawkesbury campus is run with the Longneck Lagoon Environmental Education Centre. It is based around conservation and management of the Cumberland Plain. Stage 5 science students are given a scenario and learn fieldwork and analysis techniques to explore and come to conclusions about the scenario. For more information or contact Longneck Lagoon longneck-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au 

Brewongle partnership - River Ecology

River ecology programs have been developed with the Brewongle Environmental Education Centre. Students collect samples from the water and shoreline and examine them to assess the health of the river.  For more information or contact Brewongle brewongle-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au 

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Other programs

Fast Forward

Fast Forward is currently running in 42 schools with 1300 students participating in the program. It builds the aspirations and confidence of young people at risk of dropping out of school, and has been very successful to date. Students join the program in year 9 and we continue working with them through to year 12.

For more information contact Jim Micsko at j.micsko@uws.edu.au or see UWS helps school students fast forward their aspiration for tertiary study.

yourtutor Partnership

UWS is sponsoring the online tutoring service yourtutor at Bankstown, Blacktown, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Parramatta and Wollondilly libraries, doubling the number of sessions available to school students through each library.

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