A record 57 Clontarf alumni from the 2025 graduating class have started university this year, showing what is possible when boys are supported to think early about life after school. A recent University and Mentoring Camp in Perth helped open that pathway for more senior students, including some who had never seriously considered university before.
Nine selected Year 12 academy members from across Western Australia recently travelled to Perth for Clontarf’s University and Mentoring Camp. The boys came from as far north as Broome and as far south as Mandurah, with the camp designed to help them explore study options, meet mentors and better understand what university life could look like.
The boys visited the University of Notre Dame, Curtin University and the new ECU City Campus in Perth. They toured the campuses, sat in on lectures linked to their areas of interest and visited workplaces to see where different courses and degrees can lead. For several students, the experience made university feel more real and more achievable.
A major part of the camp was the visit to St Catherine’s College at UWA, where the boys learned about accommodation, student support and the Dandjoo Darbalung program. Seeing the support available, particularly for students moving away from home, helped answer important questions about living, studying and settling into university life.
The camp also gave the boys time to build relationships with mentors and speak openly about their goals, concerns and next steps. These connections will be important as they finish Year 12 and continue working through their study and career options.
With 57 Clontarf alumni beginning university in 2026, Clontarf is placing a strong focus on presenting university as a pathway earlier in the school journey. By helping academy members understand subject choices, study expectations and available support, more young men can make informed decisions about their future.
A big thank you goes to the University of Notre Dame, Curtin University, ECU, St Catherine’s College, Dandjoo Darbalung and the local business partners who supported the camp.
