Grampians Education Partnership Initiatives

1

European Study Tour, 2005

In April 2005 several members of the Grampians Education Partnership participated in an overseas study tour to England, Ireland and Norway. The focus of the tour was:

• to gain ideas and insights in further developing and strengthening partnerships between education sectors and between education and business to improve outcomes for young people
• to explore partnership arrangements developed to support young people to continue in education and training to inform development of the Youth Options Guarantee, and
• to explore practices relating to accountabilities, responsibilities and roles of each of the partners that could inform these arrangements in relation to the Youth Options Guarantee.

Local Government Authorities, local industry organisations and the Department of Education and Training contributed the financial resources that made the Study Tour possible. A strong working relationship developed between those who took part in the tour, along with a positive sense of obligation to the partners who willingly invested resources into the trip.

Of particular relevance to the Youth Options Guarantee, and a strong feature of the systems visited on the study tour, was the provision of a follow-up and support framework for young people who "drop out" of education and training. The objective of these arrangements was to ensure that students remain connected with education or training until they complete year 12 or an equivalent qualification, or to assist them in gaining employment.

2

Partnership Showcases

This event featured Bernie Smith, Principal of Four Dwellings High School in Birmingham, England as a keynote speaker. Several members of the GEP had met Bernie at his school which was part of the 2005 Study Tour. They had been impressed by the way in which Bernie had elevated his school which is located in a low socio-economic area, from the status of 'failing school' to a school winning national awards for its many achievements. Bernie's school developed a number of strong partnerships with local businesses and parents within its community as a key strategy for improvement.

Liz Schneyder, Principal of Henley High School, South Australia, whose leadership has won her the National VET in School Award, was the second keynote at this event.

Both speakers highlighted the importance of partnerships and the need for schools to develop strong and enduring partnerships with local community to support their work in ensuring successful transitions from school for young people.

In addition, there were a range of Regional and State Workshops and Presentations focused on good practice curriculum and support programs to assist young people find and follow successful pathways. They highlighted the value of partnerships formed by and with schools, by industry and other sector providers.

This second Showcase was designed for those with a commitment to supporting young people in that important stage of their lives when they are engaged in transition, whether this be within or between education and training providers, or from education and training to employment.

The Showcase aimed to share emerging good practice in relation to three areas:

• in establishing community partnerships focused on increasing participation of young people in education and training
• within and/or between educational providers that aims to support young people to complete Year 12 or equivalent, and
• in utilizing and integrating system initiatives to improve support for young people to engage in education and training.

There were three keynotes who provided an excellent stimulus for participants to reflection on the Showcase themes.

The Power of Partnerships, Tom Bentley, Executive Director, Policy and Cabinet, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Building a Fairer Victoria for Young People, Christine Nixon, Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police, and Chair of the Grampians Regional Management Forum.

Building Better Pathways for Young People, Garry Costello, Principal of Mount Gambier High School, and 2006 Winner of Teaching Australia's Best National Achievement by a Principal.

Concurrent seminars focused on the Showcase themes, with facilitators from both the Grampians Region and other Victorian Regions, giving participants the opportunity to hear about a range of emerging good practice and to share their own experiences.

3

Bernie Smith Seminars 2005 and 2007

When Bernie Smith was invited to Australia for the 2005 Partnerships Showcase and Conference, he agreed to run a series of seminars in the Grampians Region in different parts of the Region. These seminars gave participants the opportunity to hear more about Bernie's work and success in raising both the aspirations and academic achievement of his students. They were also able to ask questions to try to understand the comprehensive changes made with the assistance of his staff and the local community, including industry, to achieve the impressive results.

As a result of the success of the 2005 seminars, it was decided to invite Bernie to conduct a further series of seminars in 2007 to a wider range of audiences which included schools, Local Government Authorities, industry and Community Reference Teams.

The idea of the importance of 'student voice' in achieving positive changes in schools was one which struck a cord with a number of school-based participants who attended.For further information about Bernie Smith and his school, visit the Four Dwellings High School, Birmingham website at www.fduk.info/