News
This is where you'll find all the latest news from the NAB Schools First team.
NAB Schools First in 2012
25 JANUARY 2012
NAB Schools First enters its fourth year in 2012 with $3 million in funding available to 130 outstanding school-community partnerships across our three award categories. This year there will be 55 Impact Awards, 65 Seed Funding Awards and 10 Student Awards.
Applications will open online at 9.00am (AEST) on Monday, 5 March 2012 and close at 5.00pm (AEST) on Friday, 29 June 2012.
To stay up to date on all the news and events in 2012, including details about our Application Forums and Online Discussions, join our mailing list. In the meantime, have a look around the website to learn more about school-community partnerships and NAB Schools First.
The Global Search for Education. And the winners are...
9 JANUARY 2012
Professor Geoff Masters, CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), one of our key partners, was recently interview by C. M. Rubin, the author of the widely read online series ‘The Global Search for Education’.
The interview showcases NAB Schools First as a quality school and community program from which schools around the world can learn and take inspiration.
Regional Victorian school's $500K national win for students and agricultural community
24 NOVEMBER 2011
Tyrrell College, in the remote Victorian town of Sea Lake, was last night announced the 2011 NAB Schools First National Award winner and awarded $500,000 for the impressive student outcomes in partnership with their local agricultural industry.
Tyrrell College was recognised for its three-year partnership, a student-business mentor program, with AWB Grainflow and Agrivision, two leading agricultural businesses within the rural Sea Lake district.
Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre named NSW State Award winner
28 October 2011
Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre was last night named the NAB Schools First NSW State Award winner for 2011.
The school, which enrols 300 students from 30 different countries and 26 language backgrounds each year, has formed a partnership with Multicultural Health Service and South East Sydney Local Health District to deal with fundamental health issues for refugee students.
Congratulations to our SA, WA and NT State/Territory Award Winners!
26 October 2011
The SA, WA and NT State/Territory Award winners were announced at a cocktail reception in Adelaide last night with Adelaide Hills Vocational College (SA), Clontarf Aboriginal College (WA) and Millner Primary School (NT) taking out respective honours.
Each will receive a total of $100,000 towards their school-community partnership and will go in the running for the National Award.
VIC and TAS State Impact Award Winners Announced
21 October 2011
Congratulations to Tyrrell College (VIC) and Northern Support School - St Georges (TAS) who were last night named their respective NAB Schools First State Award winner at a celebration event in Melbourne.
Tyrrell College's school-community partnership with Grainflow Sea Lake and Agrivision provides practical experience for its students in the agricultural industry. Northern Support School - St Georges provides transition and work opportunities for young people with disabilities.
Cooktown State School named QLD State Award Winner!
19 October 2011
Cooktown State School was last night named the QLD State Impact Award winner for 2011.
Their 'Aunties and Uncles' program is a partnership with Cape York Health Service District and Department of Communities and provides teaching through culture which is empowering students to make healthy and sensible decisions, develop healthy and confident social and personal skills and improve their school outcomes.
2011 NAB Schools First Award Winners Announced!
15 September 2011
Congratulations to the 110 school-community partnerships who have today been announced as the NAB Schools First Award winners for 2011.
This year, NAB Schools First received 863 high quality applications. Of the winning schools across the country, 60 received $50,000 Local Impact Awards, with another 50 receiving a $25,000 Seed Funding Award.
NAB Schools First wins Australian Business Award
22 July 2011
NAB has today been announced the recipient of a 2011 Australian Business Award for its contribution to the community through NAB Schools First.
Now in its sixth year, the Australian Business Awards recognises the success, innovation and ethics of Australian companies and organisations across all industry sectors. This year’s awards initiative received 928 applications with NAB Schools First being recognised in the Community Contribution category.
NAB Schools First Student Award Winners Announced
4 July 2011
Five outstanding student-led school-community partnership ideas have been recognised with the announcement today of the inaugural NAB Schools First Student Award Winners.
The five winning schools will be rewarded with $2,000 to implement the school-community partnership idea, while the eight students involved will receive an Apple iPad. Each winning student, along with a teacher from their school, will attend a Student Award Workshop in Melbourne in November to help them further develop their partnership idea.
Find out who the Student Award Winners are…
NAB Schools First research into school-community partnerships
6 June 2011
Two ground breaking reports released by NAB Schools First reveal that school-community partnerships are having a significant impact on Australian students and that these positive impacts can be enhanced with further investment.
The two reports - School-Community Partnerships in Australian Schools and First Interim Report of NAB Schools First: Evaluation of the 2009 awards - were completed by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
Read more and view the reports
Student Award Applications have now CLOSED
27 May 2011
Applications for the NAB Schools First Student Award have now closed. Thank you to the students across Australia who applied.
Five (5) winning student-led school-community partnership ideas will be rewarded with $2,000 to their school to help implement the partnership idea, mentoring opportunities and an Apple iPad for the student/s.
Student Award winners will be announced early July 2011.
Read more about the Student Award.
Have a great idea for a school-community partnership but don't have a partner?
28 February 2011
Register for the newly-updated and relaunched Partnership Matching Service and who knows what partner you may find! This online matching tool helps schools, businesses and community organisations find a partner. It's interactive and easy to use allowing you to create your profile around your partnership needs, outcomes and requirements and start searching for potential matches immediately.
Register to find a partner now!
Congratulations to the State/Territory Impact Award Winners
8 November 2010
NAB Schools First would like to congratulate the seven State/Territory award winners who have received a total of $100,000 in funding for their school-community partnerships. All are now in contention for a further $400,000 if named as National Award Winner at a ceremony in Sydney on 26 November.
*QLD - Centenary Heights State High School *WA - John Forrest Senior High School
*NT - Nightcliff Primary School *SA - Quorn Area School
*VIC - Sacred Heart School Fitzroy *TAS - Montello Primary School
*NSW - Ballina High School
Read more about these award winning partnerships.
NAB Schools First in 2011
28 January 2011
NAB Schools First enters its third year in 2011 with 110 awards and $5 million available to outstanding school-community partnerships. This year, there will be 60 Impact Awards with an increase in the number of Seed Funding Awards from 40 to 50. To date, 195 Australian schools have shared in $10.15 million.
Applications will open online on Monday, 20 June and close on Friday, 29 July. We're proud to announce that a new and exciting Student Award is being introduced this year with details available soon.
To stay up to date on all the news and events in 2011, including details about our Partnership Forums and Online Discussions, join our mailing list. In the meantime, have a look around the website to learn more about school-community partnerships and NAB Schools First.
Flood crisis in QLD
12 January 2011
The thoughts of all of us involved in NAB Schools First are with everyone in Queensland affected by the flood crisis.
A number of our award winning schools have been devastated by the floods, including our 2010 National Award Winner, Centenary Heights State High School - Toowoomba Flexi School.
A package of support measures has been put in place at NAB, including NAB branches collecting donations from the community. Click here to learn more about the NAB support being offered or to show your support by making a donation.
Congratulations Centenary Heights State High School - 2010 NAB Schools First National Award Winner
27 November 2010
NAB Schools First would like to congratulate Centenary Heights State High School in Toowoomba, QLD, who were named 2010 NAB Schools First National Award Winner at a ceremony in Sydney on Friday, 26 November 2010.
The school will receive a total of $500,000 in funding towards its student-senior mentor program with The Older Men's Network (TOMNET) which has resulted in significant outcomes among the students.
The partnership with TOMNET provides mentoring to students from Years 10-12 who are at risk of dropping out of formal education.
Ballina High School - NSW State Award Winner
28 October 2010
The State Impact Awards rounded off in Sydney last night with Ballina High School named NSW State Impact Award Winner.
The school has received a total of $100,000 towards their partnership with Ballina Shire Council. They will now join the six other State/Territory winners in Sydney on 26 November for the announcement of the National Award Winner.
Sacred Heart School Fitzroy and Montello Primary School - VIC and TAS State Award Winners
27 October 2010
Congratulations Sacred Heart School Fitzroy (VIC) and Montello Primary School (TAS) who were last night announced as winners of their respective NAB Schools First State Impact Award at a reception in Melbourne.
Each school will receive a total of $100,000 towards their school-community partnership and are now in contention for a further $400,000 if named as National Award Winner at a ceremony in Sydney on 26 November.
Quorn Area School & Nightcliff Primary School - SA/NT State/Territory Winners
23 October 2010
The SA/NT State/Territory Award Celebration Event held in Adelaide last night saw Quorn Area School (SA) and Nightcliff Primary School (NT) win their respective State/Territory Award.
In addition to the $50,000 they received as local Impact Award Winners, both schools will receive a further $50,000 towards their school-community partnership and will vie for the title of National Award Winner with other State/Territory winners across Australia. The National Award Winner will be announced in Sydney on 26 November.
John Forrest Senior High School - WA State Award Winner
22 October 2010
John Forrest Senior High School in Perth, WA, was last night named State Impact Award Winner for their partnership with Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association (MPA) Skills.
The school will receive $50,000 as State Winner, which is an addition to the $50,000 they received as Local Impact Award Winner, and will now vie for a further $400,000 if named National Award Winner at a ceremony in Sydney on 26 November.
Centenary Heights State High School - QLD State Award Winner
21 October 2010
Congratulations to Centenary Heights State High School in Toowoomba, QLD, who were last night named State Impact Award Winner for their partnership with The Older Mens Network (TOMNET).
The school will receive a total of $100,000 towards their school-community partnership and will now represent QLD for the title of National Impact Award Winner where they could receive a further $400,000 in funding. The National Award Winner will be announced at a ceremony in Sydney on 26 November.
Congratulations to our 2010 Award Winners
11 October 2010
Impact Award Winners in NSW, ACT, SA and WA have today been announced with 34 schools receiving $50,000 towards their successful school-community partnership.
This year, Schools First has awarded $5.2 million to 107 school-community partnerships across Australia in both the Seed Funding and Impact Award categories. Congratulations to all of our 2010 Award Winners and thank you to everyone who submitted an application. Read more...
Find out more about our 2010 Schools First Award Winners
2010 Seed Funding Award Winners Announced
20 September 2010
Congratulations to the 40 schools across Australia who have won a 2010 Schools First Seed Funding Award.
The winning schools from the ACT (2), NSW (14), NT (2), QLD (7), SA (3), TAS (1), VIC (8) and WA (3) have been recognised for their outstanding school-community partnerships and will receive $25,000 towards the continued development of their partnership.
Last year, Schools First awarded 20 Seed Funding awards, however due to the number of applications in this category the awards in 2010 were doubled. Read more…
Find out about our 2010 Seed Funding Award Winners.
Watch case studies on some of our 2009 winners
30 July 2010
In 2009, Schools First awarded 88 awards to successful school-community partnerships. All were inspiring and fascinating in their own way.
Our case study section showcases some of our 2009 winning partnerships, including our National winner, Canberra College, all of our state winners as well as some other inspiring partnerships.
Sit back and watch some of the award winning school-community stories.
Refer a friend to win an Apple iPad!
30 July 2010
Refer your friends to join our mailing list to go into the draw to win a 16GB Apple iPad valued at $629.
You can only enter the competition once, but for each friend your refer you'll receive an entry into the competition prize draw. Read the competition Terms and Conditions.
The competition has now closed.
Application questions answered via Online Discussion Forums
9 July 2010
The Schools First team will be available during the awards application period to answer any questions schools may have about their application for a 2010 Schools First award. Online Discussion Forums will be held between 12.00pm and 3.00pm (AEST) every Monday to Friday between 28 June and 30 July 2010.
Click here to get involved in todays forum
Click here to view past forums!
In addition to the Online Discussion Forums, schools can contact the Schools First team on 1800 649 141 or info@schoolsfirst.edu.au.
Schools First awards applications opening soon!
21 June 2010
Applications for the 2010 Schools First awards open at 9.00am (AEST) next Monday, 28 June.
Schools are encouraged to start preparing their submissions in readiness for when applications open by reading the documents in the Application Pack, including the Application Guidelines, Terms and Conditions, Criteria and Judging Process.
In addition to this, schools can view the application forms for both the Impact and Seed Funding award.
Click here to download the application documents.
2010 Schools First Partnership Forums come to an end
7 June 2010
The 2010 Schools First Partnership Forums have come to an end after almost two months on the road.
The 33 forums were held in regional and metropolitan centres across Australia during April, May and early June and were attended by 1133 people, including 142 NAB staff who volunteered their time to assist.
The feedback received from guests at the forums was very positive with a large percentage indicating they found the content to be extremely informative. Read more...
Application Forms available to view now!
1 June 2010
The application forms for both the Impact and Seed Funding Awards are now available to view.
Schools planning on submitting an application for a Schools First award are encouraged to download the documents to help them prepare their submissions for when applications open at 9.00am (AEST) on Monday, 28 June.
All applications for a Schools First award in 2010 need to be submitted online and need to be received by 5.00pm (AEST) on Friday, 30 July. View the application forms!
Schools First Conference a great success
22 March 2010
The inaugural Schools First Conference took place in Melbourne on Friday, 19 March 2010 and was a great success with over 200 people from the corporate, community and education sector in attendance. Titled ‘Power through Partnership’, the conference explored the potential of school-community partnerships.
The conference was facilitated by Jenny Brockie, host of Insight on SBS, and keynote speakers included Professor Geoff Masters and Steve Bracks. Read more...
Schools First Partnership Forums
19 March 2010
Is your school or a school you know planning to apply for a Schools First award in 2010? Do you want to find out more about the awards?
If so, make sure you attend one of 33 Schools First Partnership Forums taking place in metropolitan and regional centres across Australia between April and June 2010. Read more...
Schools First 2009 Public Report Launched
19 March 2010
The Schools First 2009 Public Report was launched by Professor Geoff Masters, CEO of The Australian Council for Educational Research at the 2010 Schools First Conference on Friday, 19 March 2010. Read more...
Get involved - Discussion Forums
16 March 2010
The Schools First Discussion Forums begin this week and everyone is encouraged to get involved.
The Forums are a great way to connect with people in the Schools First community or find out what others have to say about school-community partnerships.
There are 10 Discussion Forums taking place between Tuesday, 16 March and Thursday, 18 March with representatives from Schools First partners NAB, FYA and ACER as well as 2009 Impact and Seed Award Winning Schools. Click here to get involved now!
2010 Schools First Week
10 March 2010
The inaugural Schools First Week will run from Monday, 15 March to Friday, 19 March 2010.
A number of exciting activities will take place across Australia to celebrate our 2009 winners, create awareness around the program and officially launch Schools First nationally for 2010. There will also be opportunities to participate in our online Discussion Forums. Read more...
Welcome to Schools First 2010!
10 February 2010
Welcome to the new look Schools First website.
After a successful inaugural year for Schools First in 2009 where we received over 1500 applications from school-community partnerships for funding, 2010 promises to be just as big.
This website is a one-stop-shop for all things Schools First. Read more...
2009: the year that was
3 December 2009
2009 has been a wonderful first year for Schools First. Receiving 1552 applications – 797 for Impact Awards and 755 for Seed Funding Awards was fantastic.
It has been inspiring to unearth the many school-community partnerships already established or starting to happen around Australia. Here are some more facts and figures about who applied from where. Read more...
Canberra College wins $750K as Schools First National Impact Award winner
28 November 2010
Canberra College has received the highest acknowledgement possible from Schools First as the inaugural National Impact winner and recipient of $750,000 in total.
The award recognises their partnership with the Child Youth and Women's Health Program of ACT Department of Health and their ground-breaking ‘CCCares' unit developed to address the educational and health needs of young parents. Read more...
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