Curtin University staff have volunteered their time to give back to the Perth community at the Parkerville Children and Youth Care facility.
A group of 13 staff from the Curtin Student Transition and Retention Team (START) have spent today painting a mural in its heritage-listed youth centre based in Parkerville and interacting with the children who use its services.
START received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in November 2011, and have used some of their award money to purchase two iPads to donate to the Centre.
Amy Cleasby, Curtin Student Advisor Team Leader said the iPads would support the literacy and numeracy program at the Centre.
“The iPads will support the literacy and numeracy development of some of the educationally disadvantaged kids,” Ms Cleasby said.
Ms Cleasby said START chose Parkerville because they wanted to become involved in a meaningful way with a charity who worked to provide care and protection, and better educational outcomes for children.
She said Parkerville’s program echoed START’s focus on helping students to succeed in learning within a university environment.
“We wanted to do something more hands on rather than just give money to a charity organisation,” she said.
START implements programs and initiatives to help students transition to university and successfully complete their studies.
Established in 2006, START helps about 7,000 new students via the orientation and mentor programs every year.
Contact:
Bonnie Ripper, Public Relations, Curtin University
Tel: 08 9266 4364, Mobile: 0401 103 373, Email: b.ripper@curtin.edu.au
Web: http://curtin.edu.au
