• The Charles Sturt Future Moves program annually engages with approximately 14,000 K-12 school students across more than 97 rural, regional, and remote high, primary and central schools
• The program targets school students from a low socio-economic status (LSES) background, First Nations students, and rural, regional and remote students

The Charles Sturt University Future Moves program celebrated an important milestone recently, welcoming the 100,000th student through the program.

Future Moves delivers a range of engaging programs to encourage school students in rural and remote areas to encourage them to consider a university education when they finish school.

Future Moves Program Coordinator (Central West) Mr Tom Griffiths said every year the Future Moves program engages with approximately 14,000 K-12 school students across more than 97 rural, regional, and remote high schools, primary schools and central schools.

“Future Moves has forged connections with local schools throughout the University’s regional footprint because every student, no matter their background, should have access to a university education,” Mr Griffiths said.

“The impact it has had since its inception is the story of opening the world of potential university study to countless regional and remote students.”

The Future Moves program has been running for 10 years under federal government Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding following the Bradley Review of Higher Education (2008).

The program targets school students from a low socio-economic status (LSES) background, First Nations students, and rural, regional and remote students.

Mr Griffiths said each year the program reaches 95 partner schools in three NSW regions – the Central West, Riverina and Mid North Coast.

• In the Central West the program engages with 39 schools in Bathurst, Blayney, Oberon, Orange, Lithgow, Cowra, Coonamble, Dubbo, Parkes, Peak Hill, Portland, Wellington, Narromine, Nyngan, Grenfell, Kandos, Trangie, Tottenham, Trundle, Tullamore, and Yeoval

• 38 schools in the Riverina in towns Wagga Wagga, Albury, Wodonga, Deniliquin, Griffith, Leeton, Kooringal, Corowa, Cootamundra, Coolamon, Hay, Junee, and Narrandera

• 20 schools in the Mid North Coast in towns Port Macquarie, Taree, Wingham, Kempsey, Wauchope, Forster, Tuncurry, Macleay, and Bulahdelah

“We host on-campus visits as well as our team visits to schools,” Mr Griffiths said.

The Future Moves program is a resounding success with students and teachers alike. Examples of feedback include:

“Everything, I loved everything about today it was a great learning experience. I really enjoyed it.” School student

“I am so happy and thankful for having the opportunity to go to Charles Sturt University today, it opened my eyes to multiple wonderful experiences I can have in the future and to see how everyone treated everyone with respect and kindness, thank you.” High school student

“It helps to give insight to what they can expect to do at a Uni and the careers they can study.” Primary school teacher

“The workshop clearly aligned with the programs we have already installed in the school, this meant that the program demonstrated what was achievable if the students apply themselves effectively to our programs here”. High school teacher