1. Strengthening the Sister Schools Program Enhanced sister school arrangements – growth, sustainability and increased participation Chris Wardlaw, Deputy Secretary Office for Policy, Research and Innovation Stakeholder Roundtable 22 November 2011

2. Policy Context The Government’s Plan for Multicultural Victoria articulates a commitment to the improved provision of quality languages, English as a second language and multicultural education programs and services in Victorian schools. Amongst several initiatives to support the learning of languages in schools, this plan specifically includes the commitment to: Strengthening the Sister School program within Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

3. Sister School PIP The International Education Division is leading work on the strengthening the sister school program through a policy implementation plan (PIP), which broadly consists of:  facilitating and formalising inter-school relationships between Victorian schools and between Victorian schools and interstate and overseas schools;  encouraging participation by the non-government/ independent school sector in the sister school program;  promoting best practice models of sister school relationships in order to maximise the benefits of the program;  strengthening existing bilateral language and education committees;  encouraging teacher exchange.

4. Stakeholder Roundtable The topic of this roundtable is to discuss ‘enhanced sister school arrangements – growth, sustainability and increased participation’. Objectives: To discuss current approaches to sister school arrangements, with a focus on barriers to sustainability and success. To share ideas across schools on how different schools have approached sister school arrangements. To discuss how bilateral organisations and broader stakeholders can support sister school arrangements.

5. Overview WelcomeChris Wardlaw, Deputy Secretary, Office for Policy, Research and Innovation Sister Schools Research ProjectCarolyn Taig, Nicki Joshua Colmar Brunton Asia Education Foundation – BRIDGE program Kurt Mullane AEF School approach to sister schoolsDavid Adamson, Principal, Essendon Keilor College Morning tea break Roundtable Discussion

7. Sustainability and success Consider your current sister school arrangements, what have been the barriers to sustainability and success? What strategies can be put in place to overcome these barriers? How can language organisations and our stakeholders support the success and sustainability of sister schools?

8. Roundtable Discussion Innovative approaches to sister school relationships How have different schools approached sister school arrangements? Who have you partnered with? Consider the research, what are the new approaches to developing effective sister schools and where are the opportunities for language organisations and stakeholders to get involved?

9. Roundtable Discussion Bilateral language organisations What is the current role of language organisations in supporting sister school relationships? How can our language organisations and broader stakeholders have a greater role in sister school relationships? What could be their future role?

10. Thank you