- Published:
- Thursday 1 March 2018
Thousands of students and families at five Victorian schools will benefit from dedicated local engagement officers, first-rate early childhood facilities and increased opportunities for adult education under a new $15 million partnership with the Colman Foundation.
Minister for Education James Merlino today visited Morwell Central Primary School – one of the five schools involved – to announce the new Our Place initiative.
Our Place will help integrate early childhood, school and adult education services, giving families access to a range of education and support services at a single convenient location.
The initiative will expand to a further five schools following its success at Doveton College, where the creation of a single learning community in 2012 helped boost kinder participation, student outcomes and attendance, and improve local adult engagement in education.
The Colman Foundation will provide an average of $300,000 per year per school site in staff and support over the next 10 years under the partnership, with the Andrews Labor Government ensuring those schools involved have first-rate early childhood facilities.
The partnership will see dedicated engagement officers to work with schools, the Department of Education and Training, local councils, and early childhood and adult education providers to help local families and children of all ages engage in education.
The five schools involved are:
- Morwell Central Primary School
- Seymour College
- Carlton Primary School
- Robinvale P-12
- Bridgewood Primary School.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“The Our Place partnership with the Colman Foundation will give communities access to early childhood, family health and wellbeing services, and adult learning opportunities at their local school.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos
“Our record investment in early childhood is about providing the first-rate kindergartens and facilities that will give Victorian kids the best start in life.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“This initiative has a proven track record of boosting student results, improving kinder attendance and helping more parents get the training they need to get ahead – and we expect to see the same positive results at the new school communities involved.”