A Stellar initiative for the Clarence Valley

Families will hear about ways to lessen the financial burden of university while 700 year 9 students will learn to develop skills that can lead to success at high school and beyond as part of the Stellar program which will be officially launched at the Grafton High School, Tuesday 25 March, from 12pm.

Stellar, co-ordinated by Southern Cross University, works with families, schools and community to boost the number of Clarence Valley students going to university. The program will be officially launched by Southern Cross University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee.

Troy Irwin, the co-ordinator of Stellar, said the project was all about exciting students about the possibility of university, providing support, encouragement and activities aimed at building academic readiness.

“This program is tailored to our local circumstances because we work closely, not only with students, but also with families, teachers, and communities,” he said.

“In years 5 and 6 we will be building an understanding and awareness about university and introduce them to the career opportunities that are available.

“Through years 7 to 10 we will be undertaking specific activities including visits to university campuses, mentoring programs, work experience and homework support.”

The events of Stellar this week will focus specifically on year 9 students and will reach more than 700 students at four high schools. Family University Information sessions, which will include education partner University of New England, will be held of an evening at the Maclean High School Hall on Monday and at the Grafton Community Centre on Wednesday, for parents.

“The year 9 ‘Recipe for Success’ program consists of two parts. First we have some fun activities to help the students work out their ‘recipe for success’ at school and prepare them for university,” Mr Irwin said.

“The second part is a talk from a current university students about their experience at high school, how they got to uni, information about their course and their career aspirations.”

Daisy Morgan-Bidgood – along with other SCU and UNE students – will be talking about her experience as a student at SCU’s Gold Coast campus. She grew up in the Clarence Valley and feels a strong connection to the goals of the program.

“My message will be always try your best and believe in yourself because anything can happen,” she said.

“I often thought I wasn’t smart enough to make it into university. However, I set my mind to it and applied for an early entry scheme, receiving several offers from different universities.

“There are so many opportunities and ways to gain entry into university. If you have the desire to do something set your mind to it and anything is possible.”


Stellar is an initiative of the Clarence Valley Industry and Education Forum (CVIEF). The Forum is a strategic partnership between education, business and the community. CVIEF partners include: Southern Cross University and University of New England, TAFE NSW – North Coast Institute, NSW Department of Education & Communities, Clarence Valley Council, Grafton High School, McAuley Catholic College, South Grafton High School, Maclean High School, Iduna School, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, and the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Photo: Daisy Morgan-Bidgood.