from yaprap December 2011-January 2012
by National Australia Bank
National awards program, NAB Schools First has announced a total of $1.3 million in awards to be granted to 35 school-community partnerships throughout NSW.
NAB Schools First is a partnership between NAB, the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) and Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) that rewards outstanding school-community partnerships that lead to improved student outcomes.
Head of Education, NAB, Rebecca Sherwill said the quality of this year’s applicants was outstanding. “NAB Schools First received 863 applications from truly inspiring school-community partnerships around the country. The quality of these partnerships, their originality and their ability to address their specific students’ needs and opportunities is outstanding – making it difficult for our judges to select this year’s winners,” said Sherwill.
There are two awards categories: Impact Awards of $50,000 are allocated to schools whose community partnerships are already having a demonstrated impact on students, whilst Seed Funding Awards of $25,000 are granted to schools that are in the early stages of their community partnership. Of winning schools in NSW, 17 received Impact Awards and 18 received Seed Funding Awards.
Student Award
A new Student Award category was introduced this year to empower students to build and implement their own school-community partnership. The award provides students with the opportunity to own and nurture an idea that will positively impact their peers. In 2011, five awards were available across Australia. Winners received $2,000 towards their partnership idea as well as mentoring and support from a range of industry professionals.
One student entry from NSW was successful: Ali Amood and Adam Alahmad from Granville Boys High School. Ali and Adam’s idea is to open a café in the mornings before school starts and provide healthy food for students in a safe environment. They propose to partner with the Granville RSL and a local café who would assist the students to manage the café and provide training in food preparation.
Selected NSW winners
[Here yaprap showcases selected NSW winners (including several YAPA members) whose projects may be of most interest to our readers.]
Albury Wodonga Community College & YES Youth and Family Services - Youth Re-engagement project
Offering something quite different to mainstream education, this partnership between the Community College and YES has been formed to provide students disengaged from education with a pathway that will take into consideration their wide ranging, yet specific needs. Lacking the basics necessary for educational success and ill prepared to cope with the demands of the workplace and life in the wider community, the students involved will benefit greatly by this structured, caring program. The establishment of a ‘case plan’ for each student is integral to providing whatever support is required to enable them to take part successfully.
What the judges said: Extensive research has been undertaken to guide the development of this program. The partners will be working side by side in and out of the classroom assisting each student to re-engage in education and the community.
Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre & Multicultural Health Service(MHS), South East Sydney Local Health District - Optimising Health and Learning
Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre enrols 300 students, from 30 different countries and 26 language backgrounds each year. After spending 3 to 4 terms at the IEC they move on to one of 20 local high schools. It is this window of opportunity that has been seized upon by the partnership. Beverly Hills IEC has joined in partnership with a wide range of health service providers to set up an on-site screening program to gain early assessments of health and well being for refugee students and other vulnerable new arrivals. Extensive examination of each student allows early intervention and maximizes their learning situation and provides continuity of care in their chosen community.
What the judges said: This is an excellent program aimed at dealing with fundamental health issues for refugee students. A significant model of proactive planning and intervention at a critical point of need. An application that is able to show that good health is vital to learning.
Bulli High School (NSW) & Access Community Group - Arresting disengagement, building work readiness
Bulli High School has partnered with the Access Community Group to devise a support program for a select group of Year 8 and 9 students who are failing to make connections with schooling and future work. It is the partnership’s intention to make a difference for these students early rather than later. By providing activity based learning and linking each of them with a mentor of a similar age, who is currently successfully employed in the workforce, in an industry that is of interest to the student, it is proposed that they will reconnect now and make a successful transition in the future.
What the judges said: A genuine partnership with mutual benefit for all directly involved. In the future the wider community will reap the benefits of the work done at this stage in each student’s life.
Cessnock High School & Cessnock District Learning Centre - Opportunities for at-risk young people
This highly successful partnership has been operating since 1995 and has been catering for the learning needs of at-risk Year 7-10 students. By providing individualised programs for students who have become disengaged with mainstream schooling, the Cessnock District Learning Centre assists them to modify their attitudes and behaviour, develop their self esteem, and improve their learning. This program demonstrates a strong spirit of compassion with a focus on making improvements to address the student needs of the future. This partnership is making a significant difference.
What the judges said: This program shows substantial evidence of the benefits to the students, the community and the Cessnock District Learning Centre. The longevity of this project is testament to its success. The improvement in student performance has been measured and the results are impressive.
Cowra High School, Cowra TAFE, Cowra PCYC & Greater Western Area Health - Breakaway
The high school, TAFE, the PCYC and the health service have partnered to develop the program, Breakaway, to provide academic, health education and social opportunities for young Aboriginal female participants in a learning environment away from school. The high school teachers and the TAFE teachers plan, develop and facilitate the various learning activities for the Breakaway program which is held once a week over two terms. Initially, the program was health-based but has developed and adapted to be more culturally relevant and academically rigorous. The activities are designed to engage and enhance the employability skills of young people while at the same time being innovative and creative. The TAFE and the high school teachers work together to develop appropriate and meaningful lessons where the girls are able to achieve positive outcomes.
What the judges said: This is a successful, long running program that is clearly designed to meet the needs of young Indigenous girls at risk of failing to complete even a basic education and engaging in social behaviours which place their health at risk.
Cronulla High School & Shire Wide Youth Services - Re-engaging Disengaging Year 9s
The key goals of this partnership are to re-engage Year 9 students who are at risk of not completing high school. The school has partnered with Shire Wide to conduct excursions to various workplaces to engage in hands-on activities, talk to workers and take part in Q and A sessions in regard to pathways into employment. The schools involved will work with Shire Wide on the program which will take selected students out on these visits with the aim to motivate them. The Shire Wide youth worker will accompany the students, teachers from the schools will also supervise and follow up any activities back at school.
What the judges said: The need was clearly identified from data and research. This is a positive program for students with mutual benefits and measurable data to show outcomes for students. The program has been thoroughly researched with careful evaluation embedded in the program.
Gloucester High School & Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) - Student Support Centre
The school has partnered with the AECG and developed a plan to improve Aboriginal students’ engagement in the classroom, academic outcomes, leadership skills and attendance. The project also aims to impart knowledge of Aboriginal history and culture, as well as enhance post school opportunities. Members of the AECG provide cultural support and offer assistance to school staff in well-being and cultural matters. The proposed support centre will provide Aboriginal students with a designated area that caters to their learning styles and provides significant and relevant content to engage them within the classroom environment. It is the wealth of local cultural and historical knowledge that the members bring to the partnership which can be shared with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students, staff and the broader school community and then collaboratively transferred into the wider community to strengthen relationships.
What the judges said: A truly collaborative project that enlists the support of the local community to support Aboriginal students and their families by the inclusion of Elders, an Aboriginal tutor and skilled community members to support and enrich the program.
Great Lakes College, Forster & Great Lakes Education Christian Care Association (GLECCA) - Chill Out Breakfast Program
The College and GLECCA have developed a partnership to provide breakfast two days a week for students in Years 7 to 10. Many students were missing out on breakfast for a variety of reasons and the school and GLECCA have worked together since 2003 on the breakfast program. Community volunteers help serve breakfast and this has been an effective way to provided mentoring and meeting students who are in need of individual care, attention, support and social interaction. Some students have become volunteers themselves and help serve other students. Apart from the nutritional benefits of having breakfast, there has been an improvement in student concentration, leadership skills and community involvement. Absenteeism is significantly reduced on breakfast days.
What the judges said: The students and volunteers benefit from this activity and the benefits go beyond those of healthy eating. The students have access to a Youth Worker if they feel the need and the school offers an informal setting with the breakfast program.
King Street Public School & Singleton Youth Venue - 009 Student Wellbeing Project
The partnership is being set up between the school and the Youth Venue in order to share skills, expertise and physical resources to meet the needs of the students while connecting them with the staff at the Venue. The main goal is to develop leadership and provide students with the opportunities to develop empathy for others and reduce the number of violent incidents and suspensions at school. Having access to the facilities and the expertise of the Youth Venue will enable the school to extend its programs to more students. The school expects to see positive changes for individuals as they become more socially skilled and the Youth Venue hopes that the partnership will allow them to have a positive impact on the lives of those children who are often the hardest to reach.
What the judges said: The application showed clear links between the identified need and the goals of the program. There is clear evidence of a commitment from the school and the partner and an ongoing relationship is being established.
St Phillip’s Christian College & First Steps Parenting - DALE Young Mothers’ Program Early Intervention
This partnership between the school and a local parenting and child health organisation, First Steps Parenting, takes a preventative approach and draws on the principles of early intervention by addressing parenting and baby health needs on-site. The partnership takes a holistic approach to the teenage participants and recognises that there are many issues that may impact on their ability to stay connected to education. The partner shares their expertise with the school and visits weekly to provide ongoing support for a group of young mothers, they workshop ideas and identify concerns. There is a longitudinal impact from the project as the young mothers have benefited from the program and their children also benefit from improved parenting.
What the judges said: The school and the partner are committed to the long term success of this program so that the girls and their children benefit. Keeping students at school is all important and this partnership works hard to make sure this happens.
Thomas Reddall High School & The Benevolent Society - Local Buddies
The school and The Benevolent Society partnered to support students in need of guidance and friendship. Trained mentor volunteers, who are caring community role models, meet each week to participate in activities and discussions on career and training options, mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Activities give the students support in career choices to encourage them to stay at school and complete their education. A strong connection to the Society has been built through community forums and the school is represented at these.
What the judges said: A clear need has been identified and the partnership with The Benevolent Society has been established to address this need. A positive program is being developed, involving a genuine community partnership. All of the criteria has been addressed in detail and careful attention has been paid to providing relevant evidence.
More information
Schools and community groups interested in finding out about the 2012 award funding should visit www.schoolsfirst.edu.au and join the mailing list.