UWS praised by siblings

Koori Mail
Koori Mail
E D U C AT I O N 2 0 1 The Voice of Indigenous Australia
The Voice of Indigenous Australia
UWS praised by siblings
OR brother and sister
Keifer and Rhiannon
Dotti, making the transition
from high school to university
was easy thanks to the
University of Western Sydneyʼs
Alternative Entry Program for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander students.
The Badanami Alternative
Entry Program gives students
and families the opportunity to
gain access to university via an
entrance test and interview,
even if they didnʼt finish school
or end up with the marks they
needed when they graduated.
By giving these students the
chance to apply for university,
UWS is aiming to ensure the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander leaders of tomorrow
can fulfil their potential.
Wattle Grove resident Keifer
Dotti is a player with Hyundai
A-League football (soccer) club
Sydney FC and has always
wanted to be a physical
education (PE) teacher.
His parents encouraged
him to pursue his dreams and
go to university, and after
studying a Bachelor of
Education (Primary) degree for
the past 18 months heʼs
discovered a strong passion for
teaching in the classroom.
“My teachers and classmates
F
Keifer and
Rhiannon Dotti.
have been so inspirational and,
after studying and taking part in
some great practical lessons
aftrs.edu.au
The Voice of Indigenous Australia
with the children, Iʼve started to
expand my horizons,” Keifer
says. “The course has sparked a
real love of classroom teaching
for me and given me an insight
into how I can use my degree to
help future generations of
Indigenous children reach their
full potential.”
Keiferʼs sister Rhiannon also
entered UWS through the
Alternative Entry Program and is
now studying a Bachelor of
Social Sciences degree with a
major in psychology.
“The universityʼs Badamani
Centre has been so helpful,
giving me everything from
counselling and personalised
tutoring to peaceful work
stations when I need to do
assignments,” she says.
“Their assistance has really
helped me get the most out
of my time at UWS, and
inspired me to pursue my
dream of one day working in
community services to help
people who may be struggling
day to day.”
“I would highly recommend
the University of Western
Sydney to Indigenous students.”
UWS is holding tests for the
Badanami Alternative Entry
Program at the UWS Penrith
(Kingswood) Campus on
November 10 and 11 and
January 19 and 20.
For more information,
call 1300 897 669, email
[email protected] or visit
www.uws.edu.au/badanami
admissions
AUSTRALIAN FILM TELEVISION AND RADIO SCHOOL
THE KOORI MAIL, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014. 49

Download Report