St Joseph's Nudgee College

March 3, 2009

St Joseph's Nudgee College Year 12 student Lachlan Johnston will join thousands of other first time students when he begins university this week. He just hasn't finished school.

Lachlan has been accepted in the University of Queensland's Enhanced Studies program for 2009 and will undertake a first year subject in Human Movement Studies during Semester 1. He is the first Nudgee College student to undertake the course while still at school.

"We've known about the program for a few years but Lachlan is the first student who ticked all the boxes," teacher Matt Waters said.

"Other students have got the good grades but didn't have Lachlan's passion for human movement and sports science. Lachlan is also very organised which is a must," he said.

Lachlan attended an orientation session at the St Lucia campus last week and will begin official classes on March 4. He will attend a three hour lecture and tutorial each week. These will be undertaken in addition to his normal Year 12 classes.

"It is going to take some juggling and I will miss some school but I’m pretty organised so I should be ok," Lachlan said.

UQ's Enhanced Studies Program has been running since 1988 and this year accepted 150 students from thousands of applicants.

The aim of the program is to give high achieving Year 12 students the opportunity to find out what university life is really like by studying an area of interest. 

Program participants study one subject during Semester 1 of Year 12 and have full access to the university's staff and facilities.

"I even get a student card," Lachlan said.

Students who successfully complete their chosen subject are eligible to receive one bonus point towards their university entry rank through UQ's Bonus Rank Scheme. The majority who later enrol in a relevant UQ degree also receive credit for their completed course.

While Lachlan is not sure exactly what he wants to do when he finishes Year 12, he does know he wants it to be in the sports industry.

"I'm not exactly sure but maybe exercise physiology or something along those lines. Something in the sports industry would be great."