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).

The partnership with TOMNET provides mentoring to students from Years 10-12 who are at risk of dropping out of formal education.

Around 50 TOMNET members, who are retired male professionals and tradesmen from the wider district, volunteer their time to assist and support teachers and students on a weekly basis through building relationships, improving numeracy and literacy and undertaking specific projects. They also provide monetary donations to purchase equipment, improve facilities and provide food for the students.

The program has resulted in significant outcomes among the students including decreased truancy, smoking and drug use. The program has helped shape more trusting, confident, engaged and motivated young individuals and left senior volunteers feeling valued for their contributions to, and connections with, local youth.

The four year partnership also includes the University of Queensland, Rotary East Toowoomba, Toowoomba Regional Council and Friends of Flexi.

Over 200 people attended the 2010 National Award Ceremony in Sydney including Cameron Clyne, NAB Group CEO; Michael Ullmer, NAB Group Deputy CEO and Chair of NAB Schools First; representatives from the seven State/Territory award winning partnerships who were in contention for the National Award and representatives from the education and community sectors.

At the ceremony, Michael Ullmer referred to the Queensland partnership as an outstanding contemporary example of how young people can benefit when schools and communities work together and pool their resources.

"NAB Schools First aims to celebrate and reward schools whose community partnerships improve student wellbeing," said Ullmer.

"Centenary Heights State High School is a deserved National winner because of its impact on students, seniors and the community at large, but also for its potential to grow further with this funding and impact more positively on more young people."

"We hope to see this partnership flourish, not only in Toowoomba but also encourage schools around the country to recognise that calling on their community can lead to unimaginable heights."

Through initiatives such as the development of a vegetable plot, cooking sessions and Seniors Week Celebrations, powerful bonds have been formed. Outcomes have been exceptional for all involved and have included:

• Students feeling more accepted, supported and, therefore, become re-engaged
• A decrease in poor behaviour among students (drinking, smoking, drug abuse, poor hygiene)
• Teachers feeling more supported
• The school being better abled to meet Department of Education and Training attainment rates
• Senior volunteers feeling more valued, connected, active and less depressed
• A decrease in youth crime rates within the community

The partnership is hoping its windfall will now help them attract senior female volunteers into the program, as well as possible investment from corporate local businesses and other partners.

The other State/Territory Impact award winning partnerships who were in contention for the National title included:

• NSW - Ballina High School and Ballina Shire Council
• NT - Nightcliff Primary School and Melaleuca Refugee Centre
• SA - Quorn Area School and Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society
• TAS - Montello Primary School and Burnie Police and Community Youth Club
• VIC - Sacred Heart School Fitzroy and Australian Catholic University, The Smith Family and Vietnamese Mothers' Group - Atherton Gardens
• WA - John Forrest Senior High School and Master Plumbers and Gasfitters Association (MPA) Skills

Each of these partnerships has been awarded a total of $100,000 in funding.

This year, NAB Schools First awarded over $5 million in funding to 107 school-community partnerships. A further $5 million will be available in 2011.