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 $50,000 State/Territory $100,000 National $500,000 – $1 million Seed Funding Awards up to 20 $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 Bank Community Investment Program Australia Cares Project Management, Workshop Facilitation Australian Council for Educational Research Research, Award Criteria, Judging Foundation for Young Australians Expertise in School-Community Partnerships, Workshop design

How to get involved  For more information and to register interest:  Enquiries to Tim Burke, Project Director