Aspire Programme
We keep kids excited about learning. Buddy up with Year 7 or 8 student and get involved with fun and practical learning experiences on campus. Bring your best inner big kid!
What is the Aspire Programme?
The Aspire Programme started from a collaboration between UniCrew, Otago Community Trust, local partner schools and Ōtākou Marae to create an experience that inspires young people who are at risk of disengaging with learning.
Running since 2014, the Aspire Programme is an after-school experience where pupils from local Dunedin schools are paired with a University of Otago student volunteer. The aim is simply to keep kids excited about learning. We do this by hosting the students on campus, starting a higher education dialogue, demystifying the university campus and open the pupils’ eyes to the opportunities and excitement of further education. We currently work with Dunedin North Intermediate on Wednesdays and Bathgate Park School and Carisbrook School on Fridays.
Over the course of seven sessions, students and their buddies engage in different activities which are hosted by various departments around the University. Previous departments include Chemistry, Music, Food Science, Physical Education, Computer Science and Medicine.
Available Roles
Buddy: You are partnered up with a student to be their mentor working with them through the activities and sessions each week.
Co-ordinator: There are two co-ordinators per session. You will both help oversee the session by taking the kids and coaches to and from the department and running games during afternoon tea time. You will not be partnered up with a buddy but essentially you will be a buddy to everyone!
The registration form for Aspire opens at the start of each semester - keep an eye out on our Instagram! Once applications close, we will notify you via email to invite you for an interview. If successful, you will need to be available for a training session, the date of which will be confirmed closer to the time. This role also requires a background check via the Proctor’s office, any concerns regarding this please email us at aspire@otago.ac.nz.
“The best part was meeting my buddy and seeing them come out of their shell, it was really fulfilling. Also seeing the mind control drone”
Time Commitment
The total time commitment is approximately 16 hours over a semester. This programme runs on two different days of the week: Wednesday or Friday 2:45pm to 5pm. You will either be delegated into the Wednesday group or the Friday group (not both) depending on what day suits you more. Aspire typically runs for about 8 weeks - we ask that you only sign up if you can make this 8 WEEK commitment. That is you are free for ALL the Wednesdays OR all the Fridays the program runs for because it’s important to show up and show our commitment to these kids. The weeks are not always consecutive.
If you have any further questions feel free to flick an email to aspire@otago.ac.nz.
