Cromwell College promotes a strong and supportive academic environment conducive to students achieving the best results of which they are capable.
This is evidenced by the Grade Point Average of Cromwell College students each semester being consistently above 5.
Academic results each semester are monitored, strong performers are recognized, and students with academic difficulties are strongly encouraged to request advice and support. All first year students are interviewed by either the Principal, Deputy Principal or Dean of Students early in the first semester and active follow up occurs if they are experiencing academic difficulties or if they are concerned about their choice of program.
An excellent tutorial program is offered at Cromwell College out of hours for students who are experiencing difficulty with their courses. For first year students, tutors can be either high achieving second, third, fourth year Cromwell students, or can be alumni or professional people from beyond the College.
For students above first year, tutors are generally sourced externally if they cannot be sourced from within the College. This is because the specialization at more advanced levels in some courses makes the precise qualifications and experience of tutors integral to the value-add for the student, hence the need to search widely for the best fit.
The tutorial program is organised by the Deputy Principal and the Senior Academic Tutor, and is provided at no extra cost to students. There is a high degree of correlation between higher academic results and attendance at tutorials. The College pays the tutors, but this cost is built into student fees.
Academic support at Cromwell goes well beyond formal tutorials. Students form informal study groups which meet regularly and there is the advantage of being able to consult at times of difficulty with later year students from the same program who may live just a couple of rooms down the corridor.
Faculty based Academic Breakfasts are held regularly, where industry professionals share a meal at the college with small groups of interested students. These events are invaluable for our students to hear of the challenges and successes of those a little further down the path of their careers. Formal Dinners held regularly, similarly allow professionals from the wider community to engage and inspire with our students.
Respectfully, in taking the step from school to university and college, it is important for new students to understand that although there are substantial support services here at Cromwell, students will deliberately not be treated like “Year 13”. Cromwell is a residential community of tertiary students emerging as adults, not a school. There is significant help available, but all students are encouraged and expected to take the initiative with their own academic progress, and to proactively seek out the many forms of assistance available as soon as they feel that issues may be arising. Early intervention is vital at this higher level of study.
The Academic Dinner is a formal occasion held annually, where academic excellence is recognized and celebrated throughout the whole College.
Academic Prizes
Academic prizes are awarded annually at the Academic Dinner.
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Academic Dinner Semester 2, 2022
Congratulations to all the Cromwell students who were recognised at the Semester 2 Academic Dinner with awards and prizes. Eleven Cromwell students achieved a GPA of 7, including eight freshers. What an outstanding achievement! Congratulations go to Maxine Allwood, Claire Buchanan, Laura Cross, Maarten Dekeyser, Ariana Fellingham, Andrew Gregg, Nicola Grobler, Mitchell Holt, Stuart Lake, Brynn Mackie, and Hamish McDougall for achieving a perfect GPA. The DC Gale Shield was awarded to Mid Han for being the corridor with the highest average GPA from Semester One.
Our guest speaker, Rupert McCall (OAM), an Australian poet of international renown, used his own personal experiences to challenge students to find what they are passionate about in life, even if it means traveling a road that is less travelled.
Academic Dinner Semester 1 – 2022
Cromwell College celebrated the Semester One Academic Dinner, to acknowledge 2020’s outstanding Semester Two student results. Congratulations to our award winners who were presented with a certificate and inscribed book prize. Special mention goes to our Summa Cum Laude Award Winners (Straight Sevens) including, Naomi Gray, Nicola Grobler, Nicole Moore, Liam Newlands, Lucy Ochre, Emma Prewett, and Cecilia Ryan.
During dinner, the hard work of college tutors, our Senior Tutor Maxine Allwood, and the Academic Mentors (Ila Torrance, Roshni Shah, Emily Price, Maddy Francis, Naomi Gray, and Kate Steinert) were recognised.
Our guest speaker was Professor Kerrie Wilson, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability Strategy) at QUT. Her talk highlighted the importance, and urgency, of having a sustainability focus in all that we do.
Academic Dinner 2021
The guest speaker for the evening was Mr Marvin Fox, Senior Program Officer at UQ Ventures. Marvin spoke of his time working in China, Japan, and Sydney. Marvin champions the importance of enterprise skills growth and development. He built a career overseas using his background in International Business, then shifted his focus to marketing and advertising. Marvin is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In addition to a number of members of the Cromwell Board, the UQ Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Deborah Terry AO, UQ Provost, Professor Tim Dunne, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President (Education) at QUT, Professor Robina Xavier also attended the evening. Over 70 students were recognized for their academic achievements.
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Academic Awards 2020
Unfortunately, due to COVID19, one of the highlights in the annual calendar, the Academic Dinner, couldn’t be held this year. In its place a special Academic Awards Presentation Night was held on Tuesday 20th August in the dining room, with award winners receiving certificates from the Principal and then having their photograph taken in front of the College’s media wall.
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Academic Dinner 2019
The guest speaker this year was Dr Catherine Ball, a renowned environmental scientist and business woman who hails from England but has spent a significant part of her life in Western Australian an now Queensland.
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Academic Dinner 2018
The guest speaker for this year’s Academic Dinner was Professor Peter Greste, an academic and journalist with more than 25 years of experience as a foreign correspondent for some of the world’s most respected broadcasters. He currently occupies the UNESCO Chair in Journalism and Communication at the University of Queensland, though he is best known for his stand in defence of press freedom while he was imprisoned in Egypt on terrorism charges through 2014.
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Academic Dinner 2017
The annual Academic Dinner was held on Tuesday 22 August. Guest Speaker was Mafico Nkosana who founded the Council for Young Africans Living Abroad, promoting future leaders and thinking. Mafico was accompanied by Archford Kahondo (Cromwell 2010-2011) who is currently a Project Manager. The Principal (Ross Switzer) welcomed everyone to the occasion, followed by the presentation of academic awards.
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Academic Dinner 2016
This year’s Academic Dinner was held on Tuesday 23rd August with special guest Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex, who gave a very commanding speech to the students.
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Academic Dinner 2015
A highlight each year is the Academic Dinner which was held on Tuesday 25 August. The guest speaker for this year’s Academic Dinner was Professor Tamara Davis from the School of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Queensland.
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Academic Dinner 2014
A highlight each year is the Academic Dinner. It was held on Tuesday 26 August.
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Academic Dinner 2013
A highlight each year is the Academic Dinner. It was held on Tuesday 20 August. For all of the great things that College life can bring ‘academic excellence’ sits at the top, as ultimately students are here to get a good degree.
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Academic Dinner 2012
This year’s Academic Dinner was held on Tuesday 21 August 2012.
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Academic Dinner 2011
This year’s Academic Dinner was held on Tuesday 23 August 2011.
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Academic Dinner 2010
The 2010 Cromwell College Academic Dinner was held on Tuesday 24 August at the College. Special guest speaker on the evening was Fred D’Agostino, Professor of Humanities and Associate Dean (Academic) Faculty of Arts, University of Queensland. A renowned philosopher and published author.
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