An investigation into models of community school partnerships in the USA and Europe and their implications for Victorian schools and their communities.

‘You can listen to the future too... If you close your eyes and open your mind.'
Maria 5 yrs old

Report by Meg Parker
2005 Westfield Premier's Scholarship Recipient

Aims

1. To investigate the strategies and programs used to develop the capacity and effectiveness of schools' to cater for student well-being through linking and integrating community support.
2. To investigate the research process and measurement tools used by projects that have demonstrated marked improvement in youth wellbeing through community connectedness
3. To investigate the frameworks and elements of successful school and community partnerships used to develop a common language to discuss and collaboratively build human capacity within their community

Background

It is with great excitement that the community has embraced the opening of Lara Secondary College in 2003. It is with equal enthusiasm that Lara PS, Lara Lake PS, Little River PS, Anakie PS, Teesdale PS and Lara SC have formed the You Yangs Learning Community.

The Cluster is not defined on a geographic area, but more as a result of the distinct semi rural nature of the communities that each school serves. The Cluster schools are also near to significant environmental and natural sites that provide great opportunities for learning and community linkages.

Click the link below to download the Final Report