Team Profile: Bridges to Higher Education

Who works in the Bridges to Higher Education team?

The Bridges to Higher Education team comprises:

• Gayl Purchase, Senior Manager
• Catherine Hilberding, Administrative Coordinator
• Pauline Larsen, Project Coordinator

What does the Bridges to Higher Education team do?

Bridges to Higher Education is a $21.2m initiative, funded by the Commonwealth Government, which brings together the collective resources and experience of the widening participation practitioners at the Western Sydney University; University of Sydney; University of Technology, Sydney; Macquarie University; and Australian Catholic University.

Where is the Bridges to Higher Education team located?

We are located on Werrington North campus, Building AG, Ground Level, Room 16.

Who does the Bridges to Higher Education team work with?

In operation since 2012 and encompassing 96 projects, Bridges to Higher Education works with primary and secondary schools, TAFE and community partners in Greater Western Sydney, and rural communities across NSW to engage young people who previously might not have considered higher education as an option. 

What would be a good example of the work that you are involved in?

A major project focus this year is the Make Your Mark website (opens in a new window), developed with Universities Admission Centre NSW (UAC). Make your Mark has been developed to provide a launch pad to further education information and knowledge for people from under-represented communities, providing an online bridge to the range of resources already available for making life and further education decisions.

We are currently organising a number of rural initiatives, offering programs that best meet needs identified by each of the Lismore, Dubbo and Bega regions, with age-appropriate messaging and curriculum focus for upper primary and high school students through:

• Raising early awareness for primary school students through the Theatre in Schools program and beginning discussions on careers through resources such as Enquiring Minds
• High school programs including HSC preparation, study skills and mentoring
• Information sessions for parents and carers
• Professional development sessions on higher education pathways, HSC preparation, and sessions on motivation and engagement of students for teachers and school staff.

On 11 and 12 August, we will collaborate with other NSW and ACT universities to hold a two-day conference-style event for up to 1,000 year 10 students across metropolitan Sydney. One of the objectives of the conference is to engage students and highlight the value and impact of higher education as well as provide information on the different pathways to tertiary education.
 
What challenges does the team face?

As in all teams, the biggest challenge is around communication and getting the message of what we do across the University and with our partnering universities.

We are partnering with other universities to collectively promote higher education through collaboration.

What is the team focusing on in the next 12 months?

This year, Bridges to Higher Education will bring together resources from all NSW and ACT universities to further develop the Make Your Mark website and coordinate a state-wide campaign of events to promote higher education across NSW and ACT.