Shire of Harvey Libraries partners with education program Children’s University to become learning destination

A South West Shire has jumped on board with an international program seeking to grow children’s horizons.

The Children’s University program provides primary school students with extra-curricular learning opportunities, recording the learning hours during the year before attending a ‘graduation ceremony’ at a university campus.

Now the Shire of Harvey Libraries is set to join the program as a learning destination for young participants through a partnership with Edith Cowan University.

The program officially launched in the Harvey and Australind libraries last week.

ECU deputy regional futures vice-chancellor Professor Cobie Rudd said members could visit the libraries and participate in activities that sparked a passion for learning and were linked to the university’s courses.

Some of those courses are science, engineering, mathematics, computing, performing arts, sport and health.

“At the (library), children’s learning hours are logged and they receive milestone stamps in their Passport to Learning,” she said.

“At the end of each year, there’s a formal graduation ceremony hosted on ECU campus to celebrate their achievements.

“This is a great opportunity to further the learning of Shire of Harvey’s young people and inspire a university pathway in children who might not have yet considered it.”

The Shire’s libraries join more than 850 locations across Australasia taking part in the program, including zoos, parks, museums, art galleries, theatres, sporting clubs and businesses.

Alongside ECU, the University of Western Australia is also involved in the State’s program.

Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett said there were more than 46,000 members of the program across Australia, New Zealand and Mauritius.

“This partnership with ECU’s Children’s University will put a spotlight on Shire of Harvey Libraries and ensure young people in the community have the support they need to study their dream degree and get their dream job,” he said.

“We look forward to providing all the aspiring mathematicians, scientists, engineers, teachers and performers in the community a place to continue their learning beyond the classroom — and have plenty of fun while doing it.”

For more information, email astaff@harvey.wa.gov.au or call 9797 4590.