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More than 50 Year 11 students from six high schools in the Kimberley are visiting The University of Western Australia this week as part of the Aspire UWA program.

The students, from Derby, Wyndham, Kununurra and Halls Creek District High Schools, Broome Senior High School and St Mary's College in Broome, will participate in a range of activities at UWA and the State's other four public universities to get a taste of what university can offer.

Selected by their schools on the basis of their desire and potential to attend university, they will take part in leadership and team-building activities over four days that aim to provide them with skills and confidence.

The Aspire program is funded by the Federal Department of Education and UWA, and the Year 11 Kimberley Camp is also supported by Mineral Resources.

Aspire senior project officer (regional) Elisa McGowan said the program encouraged students who would not normally consider university as an option to see the benefits and opportunities that university study could offer.

"This camp is an important part of a strategy that has been developed in partnership with the schools to engage students from a region that has a historically low transfer rate to university," Ms McGowan said.

Two similar camps held during the past month for students from the Mid-West, Gascoyne and Pilbara regions received very positive feedback.

One student said: "The camp has definitely made me more excited and confident about university. It was a very worthwhile camp and it helped me a lot with decisions for my future."

In between their academic endeavours, students will also enjoy some leisure time in Perth, with adventure activities at Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre, a shopping excursion to Garden City, trampolining and a trip to the movies.

Media references

Elisa McGowan (Aspire UWA)  (+61 8) 6488 1804 / (+61 4) 31 925 198
David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8) 6488 3229 / (+61 4) 32 637 716