• A $1,000 Community University Partnership (CUP) grant to support Eglinton Public School’s new student-run Lunchtime Leadership Clubs is one of 73 Charles Sturt University grants to NSW regional organisations

On Monday 24 June Charles Sturt University representatives met with the principal, staff and students at Eglinton Public School in Bathurst to celebrate the school as a recipient of a 2024 Community University Partnership grant of $1,000.

The grant supports the school’s new student-run Lunchtime Leadership Clubs program.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Renée Leon, PSM, congratulated the school on the development of this student-led project.

“Student-led programs provide many benefits to both the school and in empowering our young people,” Professor Leon said.  

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the principal, staff and students at Eglinton Public School and for the University to show its support and advocacy for maximising educational outcomes in the region.”

Charles Sturt Director of External Engagement (Orange and Bathurst) Ms Julia Andrews said the CUP Grant program is designed to assist regional projects that support cultural, economic, sporting and environmental development or higher education aspirations, particularly among youth in the University’s regions.

“CUP grants also build young people’s awareness of the opportunities they have for a university education and help to increase the aspiration for higher education in rural and regional communities,” Ms Andrews said.

“The 2024 CUP grants program had ten recipient organisations from the Bathurst region. The opportunity to support a worthwhile program such as this one is what the fund is all about.”

Eglinton Public School Principal Mrs Kaileen Carr said the lunchtime clubs are run by volunteer students and will promote school leadership and strengthen student cohesion.

“The funds will resource this program through the purchasing of materials for each of the clubs as needed, for example, craft materials,” Mrs Carr said.

“The school developed the Lunchtime Leadership Clubs concept and applied for a CUP grant because data showed ‘social belonging’ is a specific area of need at the school.

“This is just one of several strategies the school is developing to support students to be more socially engaged,” she said.

“The Lunchtime Clubs provide students the opportunity to lead a club of their choice with a small group of their peers, creating opportunities for students to work alongside other students that they may not have worked with before or met in class.

“The clubs will facilitate conversation and creativity between the students in a relaxed atmosphere assisting the formation of new friendships.”

In 2024 the University received 160 CUP grant applications across its regional NSW footprint, with 73 projects awarded a total of $70,283.

Grant categories include Arts and Culture, Sports Development, Education Development, Health and Wellbeing, and Environmental Sustainability.

Applications for the 2025 Charles Sturt CUP Grants program open at the beginning of next year and can be made via the ‘Grants’ page on the Charles Sturt website.