• Residential Schools run on five Charles Sturt campuses from Monday 24 January to Friday 4 February
• Almost 300 Residential Schools are expected to be hosted in 2022

Charles Sturt University has welcomed the first of its students on campus for 2022 with the start of Residential Schools.

The first session of Residential Schools this year runs from Monday 24 January to Friday 4 February, with sessions to also be held in April, June and September.

Residential Schools offer students a chance to interact in-person with lecturers while learning practical components related to their degree or course.

They connect online students with each other as they learn a range of professional development skills while using the facilities on campus.

Residential Schools have been disrupted by COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 but are returning in 2022, with COVID-safe measures in place, to bring vibrancy back to campuses.

Almost 300 Residential Schools are expected to be hosted in 2022. They will run over four sessions – Monday 24 January to Friday 4 February, Monday 4 April to Thursday 14 April, Monday 20 June to Friday 8 July, and Monday 22 August to Friday 2 September.

During the first session of the year, Residential Schools will be held for two midwifery subjects in Albury-Wodonga, eights subjects in Bathurst, four subjects in Port Macquarie, six subjects in Wagga Wagga, and catch-up dentistry classes in Orange.

Lecturer in Paramedicine with the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences in Bathurst Ms Annette Traise said students overcame barriers of distance and COVID-19 restrictions to attend Residential School and found the time to be enjoyable and valuable.

“Not only did they get to recap all the subject content, they were able to put their knowledge into practice, treating simulation patients via numerous different scenarios, reinforcing their knowledge of pharmacology, and also gaining the hands-on skills necessary to practice in the future,” she said.

Simulation Lead and Lecturer in Nursing in the Charles Sturt School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences in Wagga Wagga Ms Keden Montgomery said the knowledge obtained during Residential School is a vital part of students’ overall learning.

“When students come onto campus, they are able to apply the theory they have been learning and practice clinical skills in a safe environment,” she said.

“From practicing a key skill like intravenous injections, to managing a complex and challenging clinical scenario that incorporates airway management, resuscitation, defibrillation and spinal precautions, our school leads the way by integrating contemporary models of simulation-based learning that engages and challenges our students, so they become the very best in what they do.”

Enrolled students can look up Residential Schools in 2022 for their degree or course on the Charles Sturt website.

Online study and on-campus classes for Session 1 2022 commence on Monday 28 February.