Under gathering clouds and media attention, Education Minister Andrew Barr MLA joined University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Stephen Parker and Director-General of Education Jim Watterston to officially launch University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra and University of Canberra High School Kaleen as UC Schools. The partnership agreement which sealed the change came into effect on January first and the schools have operated under their new names since then.
The three leaders spoke about the significance of the partnership to the future of education in Canberra with particular emphasis on the educational opportunities and facilities which will become available to students of the three institutions. Present to hear these words were previous principals of Lake Ginninderra College and Kaleen High School who enjoyed lunch with current principal Martin Watson in the Lake Room overlooking the burgeoning devlopment of the Lake Ginninderra foreshore prior to the ceremony. The founding principal of the now UC SSC Lake Ginninderra, John Cope was one of the attendees who has maintained strong links with his former school. Mr Cope returns annually to give the John Cope Lecture to inductees in the college's Excellence program, a tradition he intends to continue.
Benefits of the partnership will be apparent to students not attending university through, as one example, the Timber Metals Training initiative of the partnership providing university student mentors to students undertaking timber and metals subjects at Lake. Many other partnership initiatives will be unveiled as 2011 progresses.
Students from Lake G's award winning Outdoor Education program were showcased with students from the UC partner program OLMP (Outdoor Leadership Mentoring Program) at a celebration event held at the college climbing wall on October 12.
The Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Training, Dr Jim Watterston was present to witness the presentation of a $50 000 cheque by NAB local manager Tracy Henry to college Principal Martin Watson and Carole Kayrooz, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) from the University of Canberra. The cheque was to recognise the success of the OLMP as a partnership venture of the university and the college in winning an NAB Schools First Local Impact Award. Symbolising the partnership, Lake Ginninderra student Mitch Easterby and University of Canberra student Piper Solly-Quick carried the cheque aloft on the climbing wall and unfurled it. Morning tea with scones, billy tea and celebratory cake with staff, students and friends of the college ensued.
The aim of OLMP is to provide training, assessment and qualifications for UC Health and Physical Education students and for educators in Outdoor Education. The beginning teachers are trained in partnership with college staff and students increasing the capacity of the Outdoor Education program and the pre-service teachers in the process.
For further information about 2010 NAB Schools First winners see...
Contact melissa.planten@ed.act.edu.au for further information about the Lake Ginninderra College award.
Melissa Planten, School Leader and UC Liaison
6205 7099
