Jodi Cryan replied:
Thanks for your positive feedback! We too are excited to launch on-line forums in 2010. Due to the high number of Seed Funding Award applications received in 2009, we have doubled the number available in 2010. This means that now a total of 108 school-community partnerships will benefit from Schools First this year with over $5 million committed. In 2010 there will be: • 40 Seed Funding Awards of $25,000 each • 68 Local Impact Awards of $50,000 each • eight State or Territory Impact Awards of a further $50,000 each (receiving $100,000 in total) • one National Impact Award of a further $400,000 (receiving $500,000 in total).

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi Stewart, Due to the large number of Seed Funding Applications in 2009, consideration was given to increasing the number of Seed Funding Awards in 2010. The standard of Seed Funding applications was very high and feedback from the judges suggested the need for a reconsideration of the current distribution of funding so that more schools can be assisted in the early stages of their partnerships. While the primary purpose of the Schools First Awards is to recognise excellence (in the form of Impact Awards), an even stronger legacy could be left after three years if the awards also supported more schools with the potential to build excellent partnerships. The schools First team therefore decided to re-allocate the spread of awards and introduce a further 20 in 2010. This means that by the end of 2010, a total of 196 school-community partnerships will have received $10 million in Schools First funding.

Jodi Cryan replied:
During April and May 2010 a series of National Partnership Forums are being held in 30 locations around Australia. These Forums will provide the opportunity for community members, local business and schools to come together and create new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships to improve student outcomes and build community capacity. To register for a workshop go to www.schoolsfirst.edu.au/rsvp. The forums are filling up quickly, so suggest you register ASAP to secure your spot!

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi there, Applications must be submitted by the school however, in 2009 we found that most partnerships worked on the application form together. The form is easy and simple and there is a save application so that you can work on this over a period of time.

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi Matt, Yes, we were really pleased with the spread od awards. One of the highlights was that 35.7% of applications were from schools in areas that are among the most disadvantaged in Australia. In 2010, the following Impact awards will be available: NSW 21, VIC 16, QLD 13, SA 5, ACT 2, TAS 2, NT 2, WA 2 Don't forget that 40 Seed awards are up for grabs and these are not awarded based on geographic location.

Jodi Cryan replied:
Schools First Awards aims to encourage and recognise excellence in school-community partnerships that improve student outcomes. The use of population density data has been identified as a means to determine award sub-categories. By grouping communities with similar access to resources and expertise the awards can ensure a more level playing field, encouraging participation from diverse communities. We have utilised the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) as a geographic measure of remoteness which excludes consideration of socio-economic status, rurality and population size factors. As such, we feel confident that our distribution of awards is a fair allocation across Australia.

Jodi Cryan replied:
Good question and we get asked this alot! Impact Awards are for those school–community partnerships that can demonstrate improved student outcomes as a result of their partnership. Impact awards recognise the success of established school-community partnerships in improving outcomes for young people. Seed Funding Awards are for those schools that are either in the process of setting up a partnership or in the early stages of the partnership and are seeking funding to help the partnership develop further. Seed Funding awards provide support for proposals, assisting in establishing strong partnerships. I suggest you attend one of our partnership forums, to really gain a greater understanding of where your partnership is at. If you do not have one located near by, think about attending an on-line forum?

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi there, Great to hear you are one of our winners from 2009. There are 2 answers to this question. If you are from the school, then unfortunately our 2009 Impact Award winners are unable to apply this year however, will be eligible again in 2011. If you are from a Community group, then I encourage you to apply by partnering with a school who has previously not won an Impact Award. As for qualifying for the award, I encourage you to check our website and have a read through the criteria points and tips from the judges. This should be a great help and point you in the right direction.

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi Tim, Great to hear you are keen to get involved in Schools First! All of this information can be found at our website www.schoolsfirst.edu.au. In 2009, we had a wiiner from St Kilda Primary School. We are also holding a Partnership Forum in St Kilda on the 13th April, so I really encourage you to register on-line. Look forward to meeting you there!

Jodi Cryan replied:
Welcome to Schools First and I wish you all the best in 2010! Where to start....well, I encourage you to join our website mailing list so that you can be kept up to date on all information and latest news. I also would recommend attending a Partnership Forum and all the details of these can be found at our website. These Forums will provide the opportunity for community members, local business and schools to come together and create new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships to improve student outcomes and build community capacity. Good luck!!!

Jodi Cryan replied:
Hi Helen, Application forms will be available on-line from 1 June. Applications are open from 28 June to 31st July.