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.
The award is in recognition of the outstanding results the school has achieved in partnership with the Ballina Shire Council in establishing and maintaining the Ballina Marine Discovery and Resource Centre. Students have benefited from hands-on learning opportunities, and this has resulted in increased attendance rates and transition into alternate educational pathways such as courses in Aquaculture at TAFE.
NAB Schools First judges assessed this community partnership as being NSW’s leading example of the benefits that can be achieved when schools and communities work together.
“This is a true partnership that demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved for all parties when students and the community work together and one that NAB Schools First is proud to declare a State Impact winner,” said Jodi Cryan, Head of NAB Schools First.
“Educating students on ecological and marine issues to allow them to use, enjoy and protect environments they encounter during their lives, the Centre has led to innovative and hands-on learning opportunities, and provided practical life skills for students."
“The calibre of NAB Schools First Local Impact award winners has been remarkable. This year we received 880 incredibly strong applications from around the country, so Ballina High School has every reason to feel exceptionally proud of their achievements,” said Cryan.
“The education of young people rests on the shoulders of the entire community, and this is a shining example of how students can flourish when school and community work together."
"We hope that these funds will allow the partnership to continue to thrive and benefit more young people.”
To date, NAB Schools First has awarded $10.15 million to 195 Australian schools to support and sustain their effective school-community partnerships. Another $5 million in funding will be available to schools in 2011.
