
At Hillsmeade Primary School, we are excited to offer students the opportunity to participate in Children’s University Australasia, a program delivered in partnership with Swinburne University of Technology. This program encourages students to take ownership of their learning, explore new interests, and engage in exciting educational experiences outside the classroom.
What is the Children’s University?

Children’s University (CU) provides students with a Passport to Learning, which they use to record their learning hours from various activities outside of regular school lessons. Once students complete 30 hours of learning, they are invited to graduate in a special ceremony at Swinburne University, celebrating their dedication and achievements.
The program aims to:
- Foster a love for lifelong learning.
- Encourage self-directed learning beyond the classroom.
- Provide access to educational experiences in the community.
- Develop students’ confidence, problem-solving, and curiosity.
How Does the Program Work?

1. Get Started
- Students receive a Passport to Learning to track their activities.
- They complete the “Plan for Graduation” form and return it to their CU Coordinator.
- Families can explore Learning Destinations through the CU Google Map to find exciting places where students can learn and earn hours.
2. Participate in Learning Activities
Students can earn CU hours through a variety of activities:
- School-based extracurricular clubs (e.g., robotics, gardening, chess, coding).
- Regular out-of-school activities (e.g., sports teams, dance, music lessons).
- Visiting official Learning Destinations (e.g., museums, libraries, farms, science centres).
- Completing CU Online Activities & Challenges via the CU Portal.
- Attending CU Holiday Programs run by Swinburne University.
Each activity is validated and stamped in the student’s Passport to Learning.
3. Achieve and Graduate
- Once students reach 30 hours of learning, they are invited to attend a CU Graduation Ceremony at Swinburne University.
- Students can continue earning hours beyond 30, 65, or 100+ hours to achieve higher levels of recognition.
Why Should Students Participate?
The Children’s University program provides many benefits, including: ✅ Encouraging independent, self-motivated learning.
✅ Providing opportunities to explore new skills and interests.
✅ Connecting students with local educational experiences.
✅ Rewarding learning with an official graduation at a university.
✅ Boosting confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning habits.
Important Dates & Events
- 📅 CU Launch @ Hillsmeade PS – Monday, 17th of February from 1:30 PM in the school library. Interested students will be able to view a presentation about the program and what it offers. They can then ask questions, pick up an application form, and more information to share with their parents/carers.
- 📅 Students who would like to become a member of CU for 2025 must complete the details of the accompanying forms and return them to Mr Singh by Monday, 10 March 2025, with payment.
- 📅 Passport Presentation for Hillsmeade PS – Monday, 17 March 2025, from 1:15-2:15 PM. Handing out of ‘Welcome Packs’ and ‘Passports’. During this session, there will be ‘Portal Training’, which involves getting the children to log on and check out the portal, completing a simple survey activity and changing their avatar.
- 📅 Swinburne CU Holiday Programs – Available during school holidays. Keep an eye on CU Swinburne’s Facebook page for updates.
- 📅 Graduation Ceremony – Held at Swinburne University once students complete 30 hours. More details will be provided closer to the date.
- 📅 CU Club at Hillsmeade Primary – Held during lunchtime for students to complete CU online activities together.
How to Get Involved
Parents and carers can support their child by:
- Encouraging participation in extracurricular activities.
- Helping students find and visit Learning Destinations.
- Checking out the CU Parent Guide.
- Staying up to date via the Swinburne CU website.
We can’t wait to see Hillsmeade students explore, learn, and graduate with Children’s University! 🎓✨
For more information, contact Mr Singh (hardev.singh@education.vic.gov.au) at Hillsmeade Primary School.