News
Budget is good news for Schools Industry Partnerships.
Hidden away in the budget details was the good news that funding for the Schools Business Community Partnership Broker Program has been extended to Dec 2014.
While so much of the education debate is focused on NAPLAN, for many students, school is about preparing for transition to work, or further education.
Local partnerships between schools and employers provide very practical help to students seeking a career direction, and trying to understand the relevance of their school subjects.
With renewed funding SIP will continue to create and develop partnerships with hundreds of local employers and organisations who in turn work with thousands of local students.
Research commissioned by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations revealed that for every dollar of government funding the partnerships generated $5.50 in value.
While the UK based Education Employer Taskforce found that students who can recall engaging with employers four or more times, were five times less likely to be unemployed or not in further education or training aged 19 to 24 years.
The ministers media release can be accessed on http://www.ministers.deewr.gov.au/garrett/budget-2013-14-budget-delivers-young-australians
“We are delighted to be given another year to continue our work with schools and industry in outer western Sydney”, said Ian Palmer, CEO of the Schools Industry Partnership.
“This is vital work, most often outside of the school gates, that is truly helping students in a very practical way. Too many students aren’t getting enough help with apprenticeships, career directions and to connect their education to the jobs market.”
We hear from parents all the time worried about the future for their kids. With this funding extension we will do everything we can to strengthen the partnerships between schools, business and the community.” Concluded Mr Palmer.
Cranebrook High School - Working for Student Success
One of the most impressive things about Cranebrook High is the way the teachers, parents and the community are working in a real partnership to support the school’s plan for student success.
Key Alliance Trade Training Centre Opening
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Peter Garrett, and Federal Member for Lindsay David Bradbury officially opened the new Trade Training Centre at Penrith Christian School, which also shares facilities with St Paul’s Grammar School Penrith, Wycliffe Christian School and Nepean Christian School as part of an alliance.
Local Employers help students prepare for the future.
Cranebrook High School’s Action Team for Partnerships has successfully completed another of their priority goals for 2012 with the completion of ‘The Real Game’.
Maths is Deadly Good Fun!
Maths Deadlys is an exciting partnership which brings Indigenous students from Cranebrook's primary schools together in a high school environment for a team based maths game show event. The students receive support and coaching from parents, community members, teachers and their high school peers to help them prepare for the contest. Deb Summerhayes, Principal of Cranebrook High says “With maths becoming increasingly vital for future careers, the Maths Deadlys program provides a foundation for developing and practicing numeracy skills prior to the students commencing high school. The whole of community involvement has left participants spreading the message that ‘Maths can be FUN!’”. Students work to solve maths problems in teams and earn points during the day towards a trophy for the school. A wide range of organisations donate prizes and guest appearances by Penrith Panther footballers adds to all the excitement. A total of 14 teams participated in the first round of the year with the winning team being from Llandilo Public School. The cheering crowd of students left no doubt that maths can be fun and the students at Cranebrook love the Maths Deadlys. Cranebrook High has an Action Team for Partnerships (ATP) that proactively works with teachers, parents and the broader community to drive student success. “Quite simply students learn best when teachers, parents and the community all work together in a true partnership to support students” said Ian Palmer of the Partnership Broker Program working with the Cranebrook ATP. The next competitive round of the Maths Deadlys will be held in Term 3, with plans underway for UWS trainee teachers to conduct practice events between matches. If the Maths Deadlys keep growing in popularity and support, who knows maybe one day Maths will challenge sport for the biggest crowd.
Business Services work placement students
At the Schools Industry Partnership we regularly host Business Services and Information Technology VET students in our office to help them complete their mandatory course work placements. We enjoy hosting two students simultaneously as we find that students work productively together as a team and are able to learn from each other as they share their individual knowledge whilst learning new skills together. Recently we had two Caroline Chisholm year 12 Business Services students Smruti and Amau, who participated in a variety of activities within the office which we found to be a very positive experience for all parties involved. In Amau’s words ‘ I learned how to use programs that I have never used before including Photoshop, mail merge and Access, as well as doing online banking, faxing, creating a tax invoice and improving on things I already knew from school but in a whole new way.’ Smruti echoed Amau’s comments ‘I had different kinds of experiences of how to use different types of computer applications such as Photoshop CS3, use of formulas in Excel and Publisher, using office printers etc.’ Thank you to Amau and Smruti for your help in the office, we hope you learnt lots of new skills during your week here and we wish you both the very best with your future studies.
Classroom Connections
The Independent Employment Adviser (IEA) program is a NSW state government initiative funded by the NSW Department of Education and Communities targeting students who are disengaged or 'at risk' of disengaging from the school system. The program aims to re-engage participants in learning and support their transition to employment by providing flexible and supportive learning environments for students who have a history of poor educational experiences.
Maths Deadlys
Cranebrook High School’s Action Team for Partnerships has successfully completed one of their priority goals for 2012
Jamison High promotes agricultures next generation
Hundreds of students at Jamison High and York Primary School discovered the fun side of agriculture at the inaugural Jamison Agriculture (JAG) Expo on the 7 th November.
UWS Richmond inspires High School students into IT careers
As stalwart supporters of the local community the Information Technology Campus Support staff at UWS, Richmond, have played an important role in recent years, by inspiring local HSC work placement students with firsthand knowledge and on the job support, during their course required one week ‘work placements’.
Improving the transition of school leavers with a disability
An invitation to a networking afternoon tea and NDCO resource kit launch
Imagine your future in Print
The printing and graphic communications industry needs people with many different skills and abilities to take on a range of apprenticeships and traineeships. You may be a practical, hands-on type, or you may be a more creative type, or both, but as long as you are well organised and enthusiastic there are numerous opportunities for you.
Master Chefs at RAAF Base
Blaxland High School year 12 VET hospitality students, Sally Rozema and Amber Holmes are two of many students, who are lucky enough to complete their mandatory hospitality ‘work placements’ in such a supportive and instructive setting as the officers mess kitchen at Glenbrook RAAF Base.
ANZ Young Entrepreneurs – Western Sydney
Over the last three months, 15 Year 10 students from Richmond High School have participated in the ANZ Young Entrepreneurs partnership cumulating in a celebration event held on Tuesday 11 th December at the Richmond High School Hospitality Function Centre.
WOW Comes To Western Sydney Students
The Department of Education and Communities Western Sydney Region have partnered with Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), Penrith PCYC, Penrith Panthers, Penrith City Council and Mul-T-Security Penrith to deliver an initiative of FYA, Worlds of Work – WOW.
Work Place Orientation 2012
On the 21 st March at Penrith RSL, Schools Industry Partnership ran a work place orientation information morning for over 200 year 11 students to better prepare the students for their first ‘work placement’
Success all round
A visit to the Penrith Valley Apprenticeship Expo, at Panthers Pavilion, paid off for Ashley Sonter, a Year 12 student, from Loyola High School, in Mt Druitt, who wanted a job in the hospitality industry.
A great idea, need funding?
Do you have a great idea for a school-community partnership but need a partner, or funding?
Free driving lessons for learner drivers
The Australian Government has committed $17 million over five years to develop the Keys 2 Drive program on a national basis.
