Educational Partnerships Program
La Trobe University works collaboratively with schools through our Educational Partnerships program.
The program aims to raise awareness about higher education and provide career aspiration through workshops that engage school students and their communities.
Our workshop activities are closely linked to curriculum, designed to aid motivation, learning confidence and capability, and help increase participation, retention and completion rates in higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
We have established effective partnerships with selected schools close to our five Victorian campuses through our Educational Partnerships program.
Partner schools
- James Fallon High School (NSW)
- Murray High School (NSW)
- Wangaratta High School
- Wodonga Middle Years College – Huon and Felltimber
- Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Bendigo Senior Secondary College
- Crusoe College
- Eaglehawk Secondary College
- East Loddon P-12 College
- Maryborough Education Centre
- Weeroona College
- Bundoora Secondary College
- Charles La Trobe College
- Gladstone Park Secondary School
- Greensborough College
- Lalor North Secondary College
- Mill Park Secondary College
- Mount Ridley P-12 College
- Pascoe Vale Girls' Secondary College
- Penola Catholic College
- Reservoir High School
- The Pavilion School
- Thomastown Secondary College
- William Ruthven Secondary College
- Chaffey College
- Coomealla High School (NSW)
- Irymple Secondary College
- Merbein Pā10 College
- Mildura Senior Secondary College
- Red Cliffs Secondary School
- Berry Street School
- Greater Shepparton Secondary College
- Kyabram P-12 College
Student engagement activities
Our Educational Partnerships program offers a variety of engaging, interactive student experiences both on campus and within the school context.
We use a sequential framework of activities across the year levels to help students engage with higher education.
Workshop examples
Uni Buddies
The Uni Buddies workshop focuses on the similarities and differences between school and university, clarifying some of the language. Listen to our student facilitators share their experiences and describe a typical day at university.
Race Around La Trobe
The Race Around La Trobe workshop allows students to explore a La Trobe University campus, learning about university life and campus facilities. Alternatively, students at the Melbourne campus may participate in the interactive game version using an iPad and the Puzzle Hunt app, developed and produced by La Trobe University students. Participants scan codes, answer questions and complete tasks around the Melbourne campus while gaining insight into different aspects of university life.
Graduate Game
In teams, students play this interactive Graduate Game where they can imagine themselves as university students while building their understanding of higher education to compete for the winning prize.
Who Goes to Uni (careers and courses)
The Who Goes to Uni workshop helps students learn about the different pathways they can take through higher education to achieve their career goals. Students also learn about different careers and discuss which careers require university qualifications.
Career Conversations
The Career Conversations workshop helps students discover what it’s like to be a university student. Students are introduced to more specific aspects of university life to help them make informed decisions about their future. Workshop facilitators meet with school students at their school to discuss transition, pathway options, university life and learning at university.
Topics include:
- Transition
- How learning happens
- Support at university
- Finance
- Placements/internships/student exchange
- How to be active in decision making.
Resources for school students
We've created resources for students to investigate our workshops and explore their options:
- Where subjects lead, prerequisites and pathways
- La Trobe University Career Practitioners Hub
- Ways to apply to study
- Watch More than just a classroom
- Watch Why uni? Is it the same as secondary school?
- Watch La Trobe University support and advice
- Watch La Trobe University pathways and options
- Watch a spoken word poem about university
- The LEAP Program has a collection of videos ranging from personal stories of students to stories from those now working in their chosen profession
- Complete this Career Conversations Pre-activity [PDF 105 KB] before your session with the School Partnerships program
- Complete this Career Conversations Post-activity [PDF 73.3 KB] after your session with the School Partnerships program.
Career Pitch
The Career Pitch workshop helps students develop career planning skills and make good career decisions. School students work with La Trobe university students to explore their skills, strengths and career interests to develop capability to start their personal career pathway and a way forward in their career planning.
Resources for school students
- The LEAP program covers all aspects of exploring pathways into a number of professions
- Your Career is Open Universities Australia's searchable site of careers and courses
- Job Outlook is an Australian Government site of careers and labour market research information. Students can use the search options to find information on 350 individual occupations to help them decide on a future career.
- My Future provides a guide to career development, education beyond Year 12, videos by professionals and interactive career quizzes
Enterprise Skills
This active workshop highlights the importance of enterprise skills for both learning and future work environment. These skills may include decision making, innovative thinking, strategic thinking, problem solving, prioritisation, working independently and communicating professionally.
Study Skills workshops
Our student facilitators provide practical study skills strategies in a series of hands-on workshops. Topics include the difference between homework and study, time management, organisational skills and understanding essay questions.
Other useful resources for school students
- Study Assist is Australian Government assistance for financing tertiary study
- Transition to university is information for parents
- First in Family is for current and intending university students who are the first in their family to go to university
- Student Life provides information on student life, support and services
- Scholarships helps students explore the different types of scholarships available
Options after Year 12
Working with our program staff, school students are introduced to the idea of job clusters, options and pathways after Year 12. They explore the tertiary admissions process, discover special entry and access schemes along with an understanding of finance and scholarships.
Study Skills workshops
Good study skills are essential to all aspects of school and work life. In these workshops students explore key skills from effective goal setting to stress management:
Support for students undertaking our unique Pathway programs
At La Trobe University, we know a student’s ATAR is just one way to get into university. Our research shows there are other ways to success. That’s why we’ve created a suite of alternative pathways for senior school students (VCE – scored and unscored; VCAL or IB). Our programs can help boost ATAR or provide an alternative score based on performance in programs designed for school students.
Study skills workshops
Good study skills are essential to all aspects of school and work life. In these workshops students explore key skills from effective goal setting to stress management:
We are all motivated by different things which can influence how we make decisions. Learning about intrinsic motivation and using it for our circumstances is important.
Identifying things to achieve and setting up measurable objectives and timeframes are key to good goal setting.
Managing time is one of the most important skills that will help students in all aspects of study and work. La Trobe University library services has good advice on time management
Being able to concentrate on studies often requires a plan and an effective study space.
Being able to identify stress and learn effective ways to manage symptoms is important. Learn more about stress management.
Effective revision helps students move information from their short term memory into their long term memory. La Trobe University library services has good advice on active revision.
Additional support
We also provide support to students and teachers through:
- Library membership
- Awards nights and school events
- Teacher professional development.
Study at a La Trobe University campus
Visit our different campus sites to see what they have to offer.
For information about partner schools, read La Trobe University's Educational Partnerships Handbook 2023 [PDF 658.8 KB]