www.firstnationstelegraph.com
Batchelor students aim high by Catherine Maughan 13 October 2013
N
orthern Territory Indigenous people are aiming high and turning their academic dreams into reality thanks to a program designed to prepare them for success at university. Violet Hildebrandt and Kathryn Cochrane both live in Alice Springs and attended the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education graduation recently which celebrated the success of 26 students who completed the Preparation for Tertiary Success (PTS) course. Many of the PTS graduates are now pursuing their dreams of becoming teachers, health professionals, linguists and community advocates. PTS is for Indigenous people who wish to go to university. The course is delivered by the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education (ACIKE), a joint partnership between Batchelor Institute and Charles Darwin University (CDU). ACIKE courses have multiple study options that allow students to combine study with other commitments such as family and work. After giving birth to her son last year, PTS graduate Violet Hildebrandt is continuing with her studies part time and is now following her dream of being an early childhood teacher. Violet acknowledged the support she gets from her PTS lecturers. “Thank you all for helping me make it possible. It’s because of teachers like you that I want to be one. You may not think it much but that bit extra you both gave helps a lot” Violet said. All ACIKE courses have a holistic learning and support environment that builds Indigenous
Preparation for Tertiary Success (PTS) graduates Violet Hildebrandt (with baby on lap) and Kathryn Cochrane at the Batchelor Institute graduation ceremony. Image supplied
student capacity through the whole learning journey. Kathryn Cochrane finished PTS in 2012 and is now studying to be a primary teacher. “PTS certainly gave me confidence and helped me to see that I could do things that are different. I think I came in with some set ideas about what I was good at and what I wasn’t good at. PTS has helped me to see that actually I’m good at a whole pile of things I hadn’t realised before. When I came into PTS I aimed high but I wasn’t expecting to actually achieve it. Getting those high grades certainly built up my confidence.” ACIKE teacher education lecturer Janice Ford says Kathryn is an “inspiring, driven, enthusiastic and dedicated” teacher education student. “Kathryn is a high
achieving student who aims to be the best she can be. She always produces a quality outcome whether it be her essays or in the classroom.” Janice also said that students like Violet and Kathryn who have high expectations of themselves and of their students wishes well for the future of Indigenous education in the Northern Territory. Applications are now open for people who want to study in 2014: www.acike.edu.au. To discuss your ACIKE study options contact ACIKE directly on Freecall 1800 061 963 or email: study@acike.edu. au Alternatively, if you wish to speak with an Academic Advisor at the Batchelor Institute Student Support Unit, contact Freecall 1800 677 095 or email: enquiries@ batchelor.edu.au Page 1