高清福利片

Students are taking part in workshops by expert teachers and exam practice and preparation as part of the annual, week-long academic intensive, which is being held at the and the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence (NCIE).

They鈥檒l also meet with representatives from faculties and industry to discuss their preferences and possible pathways, as well as their expectations of the student experience.

Coinciding with NAIDOC Week, students will also engage with the local community during celebrations at the NCIE.

All the students attending also participated in the 2016 held earlier this year.

University鈥檚 Head of Widening Participation Mary Teague said one of the amazing things about the Winter and Summer programs was the peer-to-peer connections and friendships that developed.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e ultimately our most powerful tool, assisting students to reach their goals and stay focussed. Friendships formed in that transitional time between school and the unknown future can be for life.

鈥淩ecognising that network and seeing it expand speaks of the unmeasurable success of the program, along with the results it鈥檚 getting in terms of greater access to Higher Education,鈥� Ms Teague added.

Last year, 27 students attended the Bunga Barrabugu Winter Program. Fifteen went on to list the University of Sydney as a preference in their application for undergraduate study, and eight are now studying here.

鈥淭he conversations begin on the first evening when students arrive and friendships grow throughout the week. It鈥檚 so rewarding to then see some of these students together on campus once they鈥檙e studying with us.鈥�

Dhani Coe from Presbyterian Ladies鈥� College Sydney said the program provided a unique insight into university life. Her siblings Liam and Brittany, both current students at Sydney, have been working as students leaders as part of the program this week.

High School student Tye Johnston from Foster Great Lakes Senior Campus agreed that the program provided a new perspective on university study.

鈥淣ext year I want to study engineering. The Winter Program has given me a few more options, it鈥檚 broadened my opportunities,鈥� he said.

Current University of Sydney Bachelor of Arts and Education student Djanala Svagelli attended the Winter Program in 2015. Today she credits it with alleviating her fears around attending university.

鈥淗igh schools are bombarded with all these unis coming to visit, but this program gives you all the hands on, practical information,鈥� she said.

鈥淪ome students don鈥檛 have anyone they can talk to for advice about university. For me, the Winter Program took away the pressure.鈥�

Find out more about applying for the 2017 .