Led by staff and students from the CDU Faculty of Health, with the help and expertise of Dripstone school leaders and teachers, the CDU Dripstone Health Academy is the first-of-its-kind in the Northern Territory and aims to provide valuable practical experience in tertiary studies, as well as promoting improved health awareness and health outcomes for students aged 14 years and upwards.
Dripstone Middle School principal Nektaria Pikoulos has been instrumental in facilitating the program, and says while there have for many years been partnerships between CDU and her school, the idea for an initiative boosting health awareness and outcomes really came from a Defence presentation 18 months ago, which drew a surprising student response.
“Representatives were coming in to do a presentation on the range of different medical occupations you can do in the Armed Forces, and so I put it out to the student group and said, ‘if you’re interested in a career in medicine or allied health, you can attend this session’ – and two-thirds of the school turned up!”
“Initially I thought ‘these kids are just trying to get out of class’, but when talking to them, it was really clear that they knew exactly what kind of occupations were on offer – everything from occupational health right through to medicine specialisations.
“Some even knew they wanted to be surgeons. So they had aspirations and a genuine interest in that area.”
Dripstone’s location is handy as well. It’s situated ‘smack-bang’ between Royal Darwin Hospital and CDU’s Casuarina campus.
“So many of our kids have aspirations in the health and medical areas, and in January last year we started conversations with CDU and Professor Dominic Upton (Pro Vice-Chancellor of CDU's Faculty of Health) and his team,” Pikoulos says.
A great deal of planning and trialling has happened since, with CDU medical experts linking closely with Dripstone’s science staff.
“So what we’re teaching in our courses as part of the Australian curriculum has beautifully linked with what CDU students will be evaluating when they come in,” Pikoulos explains.
“The whole idea behind it is nurturing and encouraging our students’ aspiration, and for them to not be fearful of that aspiration.
“[Through this program] they will have a clear understanding of how to reach their dream. So university isn’t this huge, scary thing. It’s breaking down those avoidable barriers.”
CDU third year Bachelor of Public Health student Shaheer Muhammad, above left, takes Dripstone Middle School Year 9 student Evan Parker through setting up a myGov account.
Future Health Academy sessions will include Dripstone students attending CDU’s nearby campus to undertake training and workshops in medicine and allied health – providing hands-on learning opportunities and a powerful bridging pathway between school and tertiary students.
As the program grows and evolves, students will be sitting in lecture theatres, they’ll be addressed by esteemed academics and receive introductory tours that will outline exactly what their course might involve – whether that be a VET pathway or a degree qualification – and their many career possibilities.
“They’re already thinking of their pathways, so it’s about how how do I get this? How do I make it happen?” Pikoulos says.
CDU students studying a Bachelor of Health Science or Bachelor of Public Health will also deliver valuable health education programs on topics such as nutrition, mental health, physical activity, and healthy living, directly benefiting the school community.
Providing valuable experience for these preservice students is an inspired means of motivating Dripstone’s students.
“They love it because the CDU students are not that much older than them,” Pikoulos shares.
“For them, it’s like, ‘this is someone who’s close to my age who’s actually working towards the same dream I am.
“It also opens up to kids the idea that ‘I can achieve a range of things. I don’t necessarily have to be pigeonholed to do just one thing. I have got more options for my future’.”
In Australia, once a young person turns 14, their parents can no longer access their Medicare claims history or immunisation records, and by age 15, they become eligible to apply for their own Medicare card.
Fortuitously, the first session in the pilot program, ’Introduction to the Australian Healthcare System,’ guides students through the process of setting up their own myGov accounts to increase confidence, accessibility and literacy with the Australian healthcare system.
The principal says it’s important that students are guided through that process.
“It’s vital. They’re going to be functioning adults in our society who need to know that this. This is lifelong education for our kids, for our students.”
CDU Health Science course coordinator from the university’s Faculty of Health, Angela Sheedy, says the Health Academy will ultimately provide a pathway for secondary students to access a world class tertiary health sciences education.
“We’re facilitating a collaborative environment where CDU staff and students engage in practical learning experiences and community outreach at Dripstone, preparing future health professionals who are committed to improving health outcomes and promoting health equity across the NT,” Sheedy says.
“Together, we’re aiming to foster a culture of lifelong learning and service.”
Dripstone Middle School science teacher Roopa Bandi says the partnership will ultimately enhance student learning across the sciences.
“Health professionals from CDU have worked with our Year 9 classes to share valuable insights into a range of areas, including myGov,” Bandi says.
“The sessions were very well received, with students thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to learn directly from university peers.
“We look forward to continuing this enriching partnership and providing more real-world learning experiences for our students.”
The launch of the CDU Dripstone Health Academy follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two educational institutions in November last year – with further secondary school partnerships to follow.
