Page 18 - BOL May 21 Edition

Never too early,

never too late:

Mother and

daughter study at

USC Moreton Bay

A 45-year-old Biomedical Science waiting for her after she graduates high university after high school in France and
student who “always wanted to go to school,” Sarah said. over the years I’ve studied for certificates
university and always had an interest or worked in industries as different as
in medicine” has been joined on USC’s “I’d attended a Headstart information fashion design, business, legal practice,
Moreton Bay campus this year by her night in 2019 and thought it was brilliant. paramedicine and volunteering in
16-year-old daughter. I talked to my daughter about how schools,” Sarah said.
beneficial it would be if she wanted to go
Sarah Bette-Bennett, of Warner, is to university.” “When I started TPP, my aim was to study
delighted that daughter Elise has enrolled education to be a teacher. But the courses
in Headstart, a program that enables Elise said she was enjoying her first I took in academic skills, biology and
Year 11 and 12 students to complete USC lectures and exploring the campus. chemistry made me realise that maybe I
subjects to gain credit towards a degree. have a chance at learning medicine.
“It is full-on doing school and uni and
Elise is no stranger to the USC campus – my other commitments, but I like the “We did TPP at the community centre
at age 10 she appeared on the front page pressure,” she said. “I’ve already made a before the USC Moreton Bay campus was
of the local paper after she was chosen to friend, too, when we sat near each other.” even built at Petrie, and it was a really
help celebrate the council’s land purchase good opportunity to learn among only
at Petrie. Sarah also participated in a USC 20 or so students. Some are great friends
introductory program, TPP (Tertiary now and we see each other on campus
“Elise has enrolled in a Justice course Preparation Pathway). and wave. Living only 10 minutes’ drive
through Headstart. She wants to away is perfect.
experience the university life that will be “I never had an opportunity to attend
“Biomedical Science is full-on and really
good. We’re catching up on lab work
we couldn’t do last year with COVID
restrictions. Ideally I’d like to work in a lab,
in epidemiology. I’m interested in viruses
and genetics.”

Elise has had a busy start to 2021, after
recently being selected as a member of
the YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament.

“But Headstart will actually help with her
high school Legal Studies course, too,” said
Sarah.

Parents of students in Years 10-12 can
register for an online USC Headstart
Information Evening on Tuesday 23
March from 5.30pm to 6.30pm via Zoom.