The Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment

🎉 Celebrating an outstanding achievement! 🎉

Launceston Big Picture School graduate Armon Castor has finished Year 12 with a university diploma already completed, thanks to the University of Tasmania's High Achiever Program (HAP) coordinated by Dr Jess Woodroffe at the Peter Underwood Centre.

https://www.utas.edu.au/study/pathways-to-university/high-achiever-program

Armon’s dedication saw him ranked in the top 100 ATARs in Tasmania. Through HAP, he built a national photography competition platform, completed university-level units, and contributed to STEM initiatives in his community.

Now progressing into his Bachelor of ICT at UTAS, Armon is already working on real software and app development projects.
Armon says the support of the Peter Underwood Centre and the Big Picture learning model opened doors he “wouldn’t have accessed anywhere else.”

We’re incredibly excited to see what he achieves next! 🚀💻

📸 Photo of Armon by Saree Salter

"At Waverley Primary School, we are deeply committed to ensuring every child sees themselves as a capable, confident and lifelong learner. One of the most powerful ways we have seen this come to life is through our involvement in Children’s University"
Read this inspiring speech by Katie Wightman, Principal Waverley Primary School at the ’s University Tasmania Graduation in Launceston, 2 December 2025.

"At Waverley Primary School, we are deeply committed to ensuring every child sees themselves as a capable, confident and lifelong learner. One of the most powerful ways we have seen this come to life is through our involvement in Children’s University.
For many of our students, Children’s University has been their very first connection with an institution beyond primary school and even thoughts beyond high school. That connection is incredibly important. It helps make the idea of further study real, visible and achievable. When our children walk into a university or a training institution, collect stamps in their learning passports, or attend a graduation ceremony in a formal academic setting, their sense of what is possible grows.

Through Children’s University, our students begin to see themselves not just as primary school children, but as future learners’ young people who can one day choose from many pathways, whether that be university, TasTAFE, apprenticeships, or other further training options. The message is clear: all positive pathways are valued, and all are within reach.

Across the year, our students engage in vibrant and exciting learning opportunities, after-school clubs, sporting and creative activities, cultural events, science experiences and community programs. These experiences expand their curiosity, build their confidence and spark new passions. Importantly, they are learning that education doesn’t just happen in a classroom between 9 and 3 it happens everywhere.

Children’s University has also strengthened our students’ sense of purpose. They set goals, they persist, they track their progress, and they take great pride in their achievements. For some of our children, the graduation ceremony is the first time they have worn a gown, walked across a stage, and been publicly celebrated for their learning. The impact of that moment is lasting.

We have seen students grow in confidence, motivation and aspiration. We hear them speak differently about their future. We see them encouraging each other. We see families engaging in learning alongside their children. These are powerful outcomes that reach far beyond academic results.

Children’s University aligns so strongly with our vision at Waverley that every child is known, safe, well and inspired to achieve their very best. It nurtures a genuine love of learning, builds connection beyond our school gates, and opens doors our students may not have previously imagined.

We are incredibly proud of our students, grateful to our families for your ongoing support, and thankful for the partnerships that make Children’s University possible. Most of all, we are excited about the futures our students are learning to believe in futures full of choice, confidence and opportunity."

This November and December, more than 900 young learners from across Tassie will graduate from the Children's University, marking a decade of inspiring curiosity and achievement 🎓

Parent and grandparent Rita shared:

“It’s the different learning environments that are so valuable. They bring the history of the topics to life and provide hands-on opportunities for the kids.”

👏 Let’s celebrate these incredible kids and the team behind Children’s University Tasmania for 10 years of learning adventures!

Learn more about the program 👇

Delighted for the recognition of Santosh and his amazing contributions to our community alongside his work with the Children’s University. Congratulations Santosh.

🏆 Congratulations to the Winner of the 2025 People's Choice Award, Santosh Adhikari!

Santosh Adhikari of Riverside is strengthening diversity, leadership, and social cohesion across Tasmania. As founding President of the Nepali Society of Northern Tasmania (NSNT), he helped establish its CBD office and secure over $75,000 in grants for programs in cultural preservation, research, and community awareness. His initiatives include Bhashalaya, a language and cultural school engaging 300+ students across three generations, and community consultation research projects influencing state and federal policy. Santosh has also fostered sporting clubs and different migrant stakeholders, building trust and promoting strength of diversity. During his tenure, NSNT received the MCOT’s 2020 Society Award (North) and is a national award semi-finalist.

Santosh will receive one night's accommodation in a Superior Harbour View Room at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, including a full breakfast for two! 🏨

A word from our Director, Leanne McLean, on school attendance:

🎓 Over years of working with hundreds of young Tasmanian young people – from those who thrive at school to those who struggle to connect, or are completely disconnected, I keep hearing the same three things that could make a real difference:

1️⃣ More say in what they learn
2️⃣ More say in how they learn
3️⃣ More support to learn, to feel safe and to belong

Perhaps we can embed these agency-driven principles into how we think about attendance and engagement, and back them with a strong multi-tiered system of support.

Young people CAN tell us what they need. Our challenge is to listen, and act.

A check of Tasmania's school attendance levels shows why experts are concerned Australia's school attendance levels have dropped since the pandemic but education experts are particularly concerned about Tasmania — a state with an already notoriously low literacy rate.

🎨✨ This week, Underwood staff Jess and Justin had the pleasure of visiting Launceston Big Picture School to attend High Achiever Program student Aria’s incredible exhibition!

Aria is a truly gifted young artist, who has been undertaking first-year visual arts units in painting and art theory while finishing Year 12 — all through the High Achiever Program (https://www.utas.edu.au/study/pathways-to-university/high-achiever-program).

Her dream? To study at the University of Tasmania and then take her talents to international art residencies in Florence! 🇮🇹🖌️

We were blown away by the creativity and depth of her work — especially her stunning portraits of LBPS advisors Ben and Rob. 👏🎨

See her amazing art below! 👇

Last night, I was grateful to finally meet - in real life - Distinguished Professor Pamela Snow alongside fellow Tasmanian 100% Literacy Alliance Co-founders Rosalie Martin and Associate Professor Becky Shelley.
In her address - The Reading Crisis We Can Fix - for the Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture hosted by Leanne McLean, Director of the The Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment, Pam gave a clear and powerful message - the evidence shows that 95% of the population has the cognitive capacity to learn to read, reading is not biologically (naturally) learnt, reading must be deliberately taught explicitly according to how the brain learns, it is not the *job* of parents to teach reading, it is the job of schools and teachers, and, given this, it is the job of universities through their Initital Teacher Education (ITE) courses to teach teachers how to teach reading explicitly, according to the evidence. 🙏👏💥

Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/live/1JV2nawJJrE?si=C9xCgHhafBFK4CSY

📚 The Reading Crisis We Can Fix – Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture 🗓️

Join us tomorrow at 6pm for the University of Tasmania's annual Sandy Duncanson Social Justice Lecture, hosted by Leanne McLean, Director of the Peter Underwood Centre.

This year’s theme: Learning to read as a social justice issue.

🎤 Dr Pamela Snow will deliver the lecture, challenging us to rethink how we support all children and young people to develop the literacy skills they need to thrive. Her work has helped shape literacy education across Australia, including Tasmania’s own Lifting Literacy initiative.

🏛️ Attend in person in Hobart
💻 Or join online and take part in the live Q&A
💸 Tickets are free, but registration is essential: https://events.humanitix.com/the-reading-crisis-we-can-fix

Let’s come together to explore how literacy can unlock opportunity for all. 🌱

The Reading Crisis We Can Fix When a child has poor literacy, we have failed them. This talk asks why we’re getting it wrong, and how to fix it - backed by evidence, led by experts.

We’re proud to share the launch of the 'Curious Money' activity booklet. A project co-designed with Children’s University Tasmania participants in partnership with the incredible team at Bank of us.

This collaboration has supported children and families across Tasmania to access fun, age-appropriate tools for building financial literacy.

It’s been a joy to work with such a values-led organisation, committed to real community impact. A big thank you to the staff at Bank of us, and to the brilliant CU Tasmania learners who helped shape this resource.

When you give children a seat at the table, they bring perspectives that shape the way you look at the world.

That’s exactly what happened through a partnership between Bank of us and University of Tasmania's Children’s University.

Together, we’ve created Curious Money - a resource co-designed with young Tasmanians to help them be good with money.

Through a series of hands-on workshops, Children’s University learners shaped every page, ensuring the content reflects their voices, ideas and curiosity.

This Tassie-first project has been about empowering young people and giving them agency over their own learning.

Bank of us stores are now part of the Children’s University learning destination network, giving young people opportunities to learn, connect, and be recognised for their achievements.

We see Curious Money as just the opening chapter in what we hope will be a long-term partnership with Children’s Uni - one that helps support financial security and brighter futures for Tasmanians.

Take a look at the Curious Money activity book:
https://heyzine.com/flip-book/e61f001be8.html /1

Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals

Teachers' Sip and Play - THE HEAT IS ON

Wed, 20 Aug, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Studio Theatre, University of Tasmania, Sandy Bay

Join us for a fun and relaxed “Sip & Play” event for teachers where you’ll get hands-on with THE HEAT IS ON – an award-winning classroom incursion game that helps high school students explore how to adapt to thrive in a climate changed world. Enjoy drinks and nibbles while discovering how this engaging, curriculum-aligned activity brings climate learning to life through play.

During this interactive session, you’ll get to:
• Experience the game just like your students would
• Discover how the activity links to the curriculum
• Connect with other passionate educators
• Ask questions and explore booking options

The game is suitable for grades 7-12, and can be incorporated into climate learning in STEM or HASS classes. In 2025, we have funding to offer the game to your class for free.
Whether you’re looking for innovative ways to engage your students with climate change topics, or simply curious about gamified learning – this is the perfect chance to find out more.

Find out more and register to attend:

Teachers' Sip and Play - THE HEAT IS ON A chance for teachers to try 'THE HEAT IS ON', a fun climate change adaptation game for high school students, while connecting with peers for drinks and snacks.

Congratulations to all those involved in this wonderful day.

And a huge shoutout to our own Gemma B for having led this event for some seven years now!

It was wonderful to have so many PUC staff helping out and some were involved in running sessions including Leanne, Georgia and Jess 👏🏻

Our university’s partnerships with local schools is an essential part of widening aspiration and informing pathways for young Tasmanians.

Thanks for partnering with us Newstead College!

🎙️ Listen In: Leanne McLean on Education Promises

Our Director, Leanne McLean, joins Leon Compton on ABC Hobart Mornings to unpack the latest Tasmanian election announcements on education.

🎧 Tune in here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/hobart-mornings/leanne-mclean-education-promises/105515438

of Tasmania

Daily literacy, maths teaching something teachers have done 'forever' - ABC listen Tasmania's former Commissioner for Children Leanne McLean unpacks the Liberals' education promises.