Around 40 students attended the event attracting students from local public schools as well.

A presentation by Hunter Water began the session which followed the journey of a drop of water and a cooking lesson by a local pastry chef, Bobby Dunn, who taught the students how to make pancakes. After enjoying the delicious pancakes, students were engaged by the lesson on rock painting which was presented by our very own, Ms Tina Ervin.

At the end of the event, the students were able to have their CU passports stamped for 2 hours, putting them in good stead to graduate at the University’s Great Hall in October.

St Patrick’s signed up to CU in March this year and since then, the program has continued to gain momentum.

The program helps to develop social skills and strengthen student’s aspirations and awareness of opportunities in their future, outside the normal school curriculum.

The University does all the footwork by signing up CU partners from the local community. Most council facilities, libraries, pools and local sporting clubs are CU partners, however, there is a capped 10 hours of learning on sporting clubs.

Other partners include Bunnings, Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, CPYC, the Forum and Hunter Medical Research Institute. St Patrick’s recently nominated Cessnock Gem Club as a potential partner to the University.

What is particularly impressive about the program is that it does encourage parent involvement with their child’s education.

Further information can be found at the Children’s University website, CU is currently operational in the Hunter, Newcastle and Central Coast regions.

Follow mnnews.today on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.