A deep dive into University learning with the Curtin Rising Program

Scotch College and Curtin University have been in a successful partnership since 2016, offering high-performing Year 10 students the chance to earn university credits while still in high school for no fee, through the Rising Scholars Program (RSP).

This innovative initiative provides students with a genuine online Curtin learning experience, enabling them to engage with university-level content, study with experienced lecturers and tutors, and interact with the wider Curtin community. Each student has the opportunity to engage with university-level content, and they are considered full Curtin University students.

In Semester 1, we have three exceptional students participating in the programme. Oscar Male, is studying The Foundation of Strategic Studies, Nicholas Lovegrove is studying Anthropology and Lachlan Dauth, who, after achieving some of the highest results of any student in Curtin’s Introduction to Programming course, has been invited to study more advanced software engineering.

The RSP aligns with one of Scotch College’s Enrichment Programme key pillars of ‘Independent work on areas of passion and interest,’ providing students with a unique opportunity to explore and deepen their understanding of subject areas of particular interest.

The RSP has seen over 20 Scotch students successfully complete a unit of study since the partnership began and look forward to seeing the continued success of the programme in the future.

Sam Sterrett Head of Enrichment

I am currently enrolled in the Curtin Rising Scholar Program, and I am excited to be taking my third unit, which is an introduction to software engineering. Throughout this course, I am learning about project management, and I have found the experience to be incredibly valuable. In addition to this course, I have completed two other units: introduction to programming and foundations of calculus. These courses have provided me with a strong foundation in the key concepts and skills that will apply to all my future learning. The whole experience of going to Curtin has been very useful. I have learnt many new skills and learnt a lot about how to manage my own workload as the lectures don’t micro-manage us to make sure we get the work done which was a big change from classes at Scotch and did make staying on top of my work a challenge at the start.

Lachie Dauth Year 10

I am studying an undergraduate unit in the Foundation of Strategic Studies. Although it may sound a little ambiguous it is in fact a rather specific course. The unit involves a deep dive into defence and the role that war plays in geo-politics. The content, such as learning about the Russo-Ukraine war or how nuclear warfare plays a role in our political landscape, is very interesting and incredibly prevalent in today’s world. Although it seemed incredibly challenging at first, it does feel like I am getting the hang of universitystyle education. It is very interesting how much experience some of the lecturers have and fun to be able to think critically about subjects with real-world importance. It might be a little challenging being younger than everyone else but that’s also half the fun!

Oscar Male Year 10

I am enrolled in the Curtin Rising Scholar Program studying Anthropology. Anthropology is the study of society, and humanity, and is extremely important in understanding why we act the way we do. I am currently studying the way society is structured. This means looking at the way the economy and ‘superstructures’ such as the government, religion, family, and other concepts interact. The most interesting concept that I have learnt so far is the idea that you cannot understand society by looking at the individual. Society is the emergent behaviour of many individuals and thus we must look beyond our narrow points of view to better understand how we interact with society. I really enjoy the deep dive style of education that university offers, but I find it very different and more difficult than school (of course!); but then again, I can’t wait to learn more.

Nicholas Lovegrove Year 10