No, they are not playing video games but attending school at Aurora College, the first gazetted Virtual High School in Australia. 

Sounds like a teenagers dream, but then imagine adding Dr Karl, surf lessons, a Bell Shakespeare masterclass, all rolled into a camp!

Students from all over the State are heading to Sydney to connect in person with the people from their online world, their classmates and their teachers. 

Aurora College is a selective school which offers opportunities for students from rural and remote areas. 

The school links students locally with global opportunities giving them the chance to study specialist and advanced subjects not possible through their normal schooling.

One of the school’s Year 8 students Tynan Matthews from Parkes is currently enrolled in a physical computing class offered by the Museum of Applied Arts and Science (MAAS), otherwise known as the Powerhouse Museum.

“I love this class it gives me a chance to learn coding. I get to see what is possible and work with cool teachers,” Tynan said.

Parkes is well represented sending 12 students to Sydney last week.

“I love attending the residential because we get to catch up with our friends and do great stuff like meet Dr Karl and go for a surf,” Tynan said.

Aurora College has developed innovative partnerships with Microsoft and HP which ensures the students have access to the latest collaboration technology. 

The skills are a great springboard for future careers in a digital economy and Aurora is a great example of innovation and how the cloud is creating new opportunities.

For further information contact: Melissa Matthews, 0417 659 767.