L-R: Mr Colin Pettit, Vice Chancellor of the CUWAP; Hedley Ryder; Professor Clare Pollock, Vice-Chancellor at ECU; Jemima Tomlinson, Principal at Swan View Primary School; Bonnie and Percy Ryder. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
From overcoming a brain injury to getting accepted into a gifted and talented program for high school, Year 6 student Hedley Ryder from Swan View Primary School celebrated his learning journey to success, thanks to the support of ECU's Children's University (CU) program.
The CU program in Western Australia encourages outside school education and connects families to educational learning experiences offered by 115 local community organisations (learning destinations), including public libraries, zoos, parks, museums, art galleries, theatres, sporting and school clubs and businesses.
Nurturing learning through hardship
On Christmas Day 2022, after completing two years in the CU program, Hedley acquired a permanent brain injury from a viral infection, leaving him in a wheelchair for a short time, resulting in a long stay in Perth Children's Hospital and a lengthy period off school.
Hedley Ryder. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Hedley's mum Bonnie Ryder said the program provided a valuable platform for nurturing a love for learning and played an integral part in his road to recovery.
"Having the Children's University program meant he got to stay engaged in his education and keep his thirst for knowledge alive," Mrs Ryder said.
"Hedley has even been offered and accepted a position in the Gifted and Talented (GATE) Program at Kalamunda Senior High School for next year, which is a huge accomplishment, and we could not be more proud."
More than 770 WA children are set to graduate from the CU program this year, with celebrations being held across seven graduation ceremonies hosted by ECU and the University of Western Australia (UWA) through the Children's University Western Australia Partnership (CUWAP). In 2025, WA CU graduates collectively achieved a staggering 51,602 hours of extracurricular learning.
Hedley was joined by fellow graduates who looked the part in their regalia and crossed the stage at the 2025 ECU Children's University graduation ceremony, held at ECU Joondalup.
Hedley Ryder alongside fellow Children's University Graduates from Swan View Primary School. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Building aspiration for academia
A proud First Nations Noongar Whadjuk boy, Hedley has graduated from his fifth and final year in the program and delivered an inspiring speech to his fellow graduating peers.
"I am so glad that I was in the Children's University program because I did so much extra learning that I could not normally do at school – and that meant I didn't fall behind and have always been keen to learn more," Hedley shared.
Hedley credited the CU for providing opportunities for additional learning.
"I have had the opportunity to participate in many of the on-campus holiday workshops at ECU. In particular, my favourite one was when my dad took me to a fossil workshop, and now I am eager to go to university myself someday and become a paleo artist. This is someone who draws what the dinosaurs would look like based off their fossils.
"Some of my best Children's University memories were made with my family when we travelled to learning destinations. We have searched for the CU logo on all our holidays but some of the best have been Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Busselton Jetty."
Supporting family connections
Mrs Ryder praised the excellent learning support provided by ECU CU educators and facilitators for keeping Hedley engaged in his education and motivated to learn.
"Hedley has big future goals thanks to the CU program. The exposure he's had over the past five years to the world of opportunities available through university study has given him the passion to explore and expand his knowledge," Mrs Ryder said.
"This program has not only helped our son but also helped us as a family. The time we have spent together and the memories we have made doing the workshops and visiting the different learning destinations is priceless.
"Children's University will always hold a special place in our hearts, and I thoroughly recommend it to other families."
L-R: Jemima Tomlinson, Hedley, Percy and Bonnie Ryder. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Championing lifelong learners
ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said the CU program nurtures the aspirations of young children and aims to inspire a passion for lifelong learning.
"At ECU, we pride ourselves on nurturing students who are adaptable, curious and lifelong learners. Our Children's University graduates exemplify this spirit," Professor Pollock said.
The program also aims to strengthen educational engagement, widen participation and support students from diverse backgrounds to access higher education.
"Through your participation, you have shown curiosity, creativity and determination to make the most of every learning opportunity."
Students and supporters celebrating at the 2025 ECU Children's University WA Graduation. Image credit: Stephen Heath Photography.
Children's University WA facts:
- ECU first established the CU program in Western Australia in 2017.
- Since 2020, the program is jointly delivered by ECU and UWA through the Children's University Western Australia Partnership (CUWAP) to 37 schools across Perth, South West, Peel and Great Southern regions.
- More than 3,000 graduates have emerged from the CUWAP, with primary school-aged children dedicating over 231,335 hours to extracurricular learning.
- Over the past five years, ECU's CU on-campus University School Holiday Programs have welcomed more than 3,900 children and family members.
- In 2025, through on-campus holiday workshops, holiday activity booklets, and learning destination days, a total of 5,268 learning engagements were achieved by children and family members who participated in the program.
For more information, visit the ECU Children's University webpage, watch the Children's University WA Partnership video or email childrensuniversity@ecu.edu.au.
