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High fives all-round at Berwick

5 November 2008

Berwick and Peninsula Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Phillip Steele with Berwick Secondary School student Matthew Wills and Dr Glen Croy.

The 2008 High Fives Program finished on a high note this month with students, University staff and school principals attending a presentation ceremony and afternoon tea at Monash University's Berwick campus.

The High Fives Program brings together the brightest Year 11 students from the region to meet, network and experience learning in a university environment.

More than 90 of the region's top performing Year 11 students from Beaconhills College, St Margaret's School, Kambrya College, Berwick Secondary School, Cranbourne Secondary School, St Francis Xavier College, Koo Wee Rup Secondary College and Eumemmerring College took part in the four-month program.

The students are put to the test with a series of academic challenges presented by some of the University's leading teachers.

Berwick and Peninsula campus Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Phillip Steele presented the participants with certificates and challenged them to take on the problems facing the world today and in the future.

Berwick Secondary College student Matthew Wills, who hopes to study Science and Aerospace Engineering at Monash in 2010, said the program had given him valuable insight into university options and learning environments.

"I realised there was a world of opportunity out there in almost any direction that you might want to take," Matthew said.

"I enjoyed getting to know what it's like going to university."

A highlight of the program was the collaboration between six third-year Tourism students and High Five participants during a tutorial led by Dr Glen Croy. The mock case study challenged students to make crucial planning decisions for Berwick Village.

Third-year student Jimmy Marinas said the experience helped confirm his plans to continue studying postgraduate research at the campus.

"I really enjoyed mentoring the High Fives," Jimmy said.

"They're incredibly bright and it has encouraged me to continue studying and teach someday."

The High Fives Program will return in 2009, giving more Year 11 students a chance to test-drive university learning.