What is Schools First?

• New national initiative commencing 2009

• Designed to improve student outcomes via strengthening school-community partnerships

• Open to all schools – primary, secondary, public, private, religious, independent, special needs

What is involved?

Awards Scheme - $5 million per year for 3 years

Impact Awards• up to 60 Regional Awards @ $50,000

• State/Territory Awards @ $100,000

• National Awards @ $500,000 – $1 million

Seed Funding Awards• up to 20 Awards @ $25,000

What is involved?

National Workshop Series• 80 Locations (March – May 2009)

• Involving principals, parents, teachers, students, local business, local government, community organisations

Workshop content to include:

• Identifying partnership opportunities

• Strengthening existing partnerships

• Award Criteria

• Resources to plan, implement and apply

What is involved?

Central Knowledge Bank• Showcasing award winning partnerships

• Research

• Case Studies

• Networking Portal

• Resources

• Blogs, Wikis

Award Criteria

Schools First Awards are assessed on a number of criteria showing that the partnership:• has been set up to address an identified student need or opportunity

• is well-planned and genuinely collaborative

• has been managed and implemented effectively

• has led to improved outcomes for students; and

• can be sustained.

Investing in Excellence

The Schools First Awards Scheme• is the largest educational awards program in Australia

• is structured to build capacity, investing back into the partnership

• is not limited to a particular area of the curriculum

• encourages local solutions for local needs

Who is Involved?

National Australia BankCommunity Investment Program

Australia CaresProject Management, Workshop Facilitation

Australian Council for Educational ResearchResearch, Award Criteria, Judging

Foundation for Young AustraliansExpertise in School-Community Partnerships, Workshop design

How to get involved

For more information and to register interest:www.schoolsfirst.edu.au

Enquiries to Tim Burke, Project Director

info@schoolsfirst.edu.au