Based on Trinity’s philosophy that a true education develops the whole person by stimulating curiosity and openness to new learning and ideas, Foundation Studies provides the best foundation year for international students that you expect from a premier academic institution.
But 25 years ago, the College community would have been surprised to imagine a time when hundreds of pre-university level international students would be welcomed to study on campus each year.
At the time, no one else in Australia was running anything comparable to what the program quickly became.
Dr Rosemary Blight, TCFS Drama Lecturer, was one of the key players in those formative days – designing a program in many ways without precedent.
‘The University of NSW had put together an ESL program, but that was about it,’ says Rosemary. ‘Our approach was much broader than just teaching English language.’
Much of the success of the Foundation Studies Program has been through the innovative curriculum that prepares students for academic success. From the beginning, the curriculum has been inspired by what Barbara Cargill (Dean of Pathways School, 2006–2013) describes as a liberal arts ethos that gives participants an opportunity and means to adjust to Western culture.
Alongside traditionally ‘academic’ subjects such as Accounting, Mathematics and Chemistry, less conventional subjects were required to broaden the students’ experience and improve self-confidence. Along with History of Ideas, the most controversial subject was Drama, which continues to be a vital cog in the TCFS experience.
In developing the Drama curriculum, Rosemary Blight drew on her background in theatre.
‘Because we hadn’t started the program, and hadn’t met a single student yet, we were kind of working in the dark,’ reflects Rosemary. ‘I only had a month to design the year’s Drama curriculum, session-by-session.’
Working as a small, tight-knit group, those pioneering staff collaborated on curriculum ideas. Rosemary says she ‘brought into Drama ideas from other subjects we were running, such as Literature and History of Ideas’.
Indeed, the proposal to run a bridging program wasn’t without opposition. The Council objected that it was not Trinity’s core business; it would take the Warden away from his normal duties; and it posed a considerable financial risk.
Two different forces propelled the College to change. On one hand, Trinity was under pressure to generate badly needed income. It was also a time when overseas students weren’t reaching the same academic standards as their Australian peers. The University of Melbourne’s then Vice-Chancellor, David Penington, put out a call to the colleges to see who could put together a bridging program.
Tony Buzzard (TC 1960), later named the ‘Godfather of Foundation Studies’, answered that call.
‘I suggested that we look at the assets of Trinity College and how we could better use them,’ says Tony now. ‘I recommended that Trinity consider running a course that bridges the gap between Year 12 in South East Asia and Year 1 at the University of Melbourne.’
The Council agreed to a trial, and a supervising committee was formed to oversee the
