On Tuesday NAB schools First announced Flinders Island District High School as this year’s Tasmanian State Impact award winner, receiving $60,000 in funding for its outstanding school-community partnership.
Flinders Island District High School was selected from three Impact Award winners from around Tasmania for its successful partnership with Flinders Council and Newstead College in Launceston on the Mainland.
Situated on the romote island in Bass Strait, Flinders Island District High School has partnered with the Flinders Council to support students in transitioning to further education and employment.
The Council and the school work together on weekly transition classes, life skills, camps and excursions. There is a close connection to Newstead College and Flinders Island students visit and take part in programs that assist in their transition. Newstead College student also visit the island. The Council provides opportunities such as city orientation, school holiday programs, leadership camps, training opportunities and school-based apprenticeships. Work placement and resource sharing have all been a result of the partner organisations working collaboratively and making joint decisions.
Head of NAB Schools First, Rebecca Sherwill, said the Impact Award winners in Tasmania were worthy winners but Flinders Island District High School really stood out.
“The Transition program is a great example of how schools and community groups can work together to improve overall student outcomes”
It’s a fantastic achievement to be named the Tasmanian State Impact Awards winner,” Rebecca said.
Flinders Island District High School will vie with other state and territory winners for the aggregate $200,000 National Impact Awards, which will be announced in Melbourne on Wednesday 7th November.
Impact Award winners receive $30,000 each. Other categories in the NAB Schools First Awards are theSeed Funding Awards where $15,000 is awareded to schools in the early stages of a community partnership and Student Awards which reward students initiated school-community partnership ideas with $5,000.
Over 29% of schools nationwide have been inspired to apply for a NAB Schools First award since the program commenced in 2009 and over 2,100 NAB employees now volunteer their time to school-community partnership.
NAB Schools First is a national awards program that recognises and rewards outstanding
