Schools First Diary
Take a journey with the Schools First team and read our news and views around some of the activities and events taking place in Schools First, as well as our on the road school visits and what goes on behind the scenes.
KIPP Conference - 24/08/10
Charby Ibrahim writes:
Last night, Stuart Osbourne and I had the pleasure of attending the 'Beyond Engagement' KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) conference. The Pavilion School, one of our 2009 Victorian Impact Award winners, in partnership with Berry Street, used a portion of their funding to bring KIPP instructors over from the US to inform their practice.
Wollongong school visits - 30/07/10
Josh Levy writes:
I spent a few days in rainy Sydney visiting two schools in Wollongong - Warrawong HS and Illawarra Sports High School.
This former teacher hits the road on some school visits - 01/06/10
Sharon Clerke writes:
I was given the opportunity to travel to Brisbane and Sydney to present at the forums, and I was able to visit some of the winning schools in NSW and Queensland. Being an ex-teacher, I loved going into the schools, meeting teachers and students in so many different settings and seeing for myself what fantastic partnerships these schools have developed.
A story or two from my trip to Mansfield...but not on the big screen - 31/05/10
Brooke Tully writes:
Today was yet another Schools First adventure, this time to Mansfield with The Age Education Reporter Jewel Topsfield, photographer Pat, self-confessed IT nerd Tim (representing Yarraville Sun Theatre) and me visitng the local Armchair Cinema.
Three days, three Partnership Forums and lots of fun in Sydney - 27/05/10
Stuart Osbourne writes:
The three amigos – myself, Sharon and Josh – set sail for Sydney town with a mission to deliver three Partnership Forums in three days. During our stay, we met close to 200 fascinating people, travelled loads of kms, answered a plethora of questions, and listened to way too many mispronunciations from 'Nora' on Josh’s GPS as she was directing us around Sydney’s maze of roads.
Partnership Forums and school visits made for a great few days in WA - 24/05/10
Josie Kaddour writes:
As a relatively new member to the Schools First team, what had me most excited about my trip to WA was the school visits. While it has been interesting learning about the program, school-community partnerships and all the events, activities and winners from last year, I couldn't wait to see what Schools First is really all about. First though, the Perth Partnership Forum...
A little ray of sunshine at the QLD Partnership Forums - 21/05/10
Charby Ibrahim writes:
The Schools First team kicked off another week of Partnership Forums under the gorgeous Queensland sun - and for this shivering Melbournian, there were certainly no complaints! The disappointment in realising that I’ll eventually have to leave this paradise and having to trade in my shorts, t-shirt, and thongs for a suit and tie when facilitating has been the only downside to these extremely positive forums.
Alice Springs and Darwin Partnership Forum visits - 11/05/10
Clare Prascevic writes:
The Schools First Partnership Forums made their way to the Northern Territory in early May.
With stunning landscape, beautiful weather, wonderful hospitality and enthusiastic representatives from school and community organisations, there's no denying that Drew, Josh and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in NT!
My educational and lucky experience in Gove - 10/05/10
Josh Levy writes:
Lucky…this would be the word that best describes my experience in Gove (Nhulumbuy), closely followed by educational. To be given the opportunity to take Schools First to such an amazing place makes me feel very lucky, and then to have met the people I met and heard their stories and their ways of working, was extremely educational.
Partnership Forum review from South Australia - 05/05/10
Michelle Shand writes:
The Schools First Partnership Forums made their way through South Australia in late April, stopping in Adelaide, Port Lincoln and Elizabeth. As with the rest of Australia, these forums were a great success with many enthusiastic and interested participants from schools and the community in attendance.
A group of us from Schools First made the trip to South Australia and we thought we'd share our experiences.
Partnership Forum in Port Macquarie a little too close to home... - 28/04/10
Penny Cembala writes:
As you enter the seaside town of Port Macquarie on the NSW mid north coast, you are welcomed by a sign promising “idyllic climate, perfect setting, unique heritage” and that’s just what Josh Levy and I experienced on our visit last Friday to host the Schools First Partnership Forum.
Partnership Forum visits in Tamworth and Orange - 23/04/10
Jodi Cryan writes:
This week, Josh and I had the great experience of visiting regional NSW. To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect but I must say that Orange and Tamworth were two forums that surpassed my expectations.
Cherbourg and Wondai School Visits - 20/04/10
Brooke Tully writes:
A charter flight to regional Queensland, a journey through indigenous artwork, a superb nutritious meal, meeting some inspirational adults and personality-plus students…as my colleague Charby Ibrahim later commented: ‘what a perfect day in the office.’
Taking the Partnership Forums to the Tasman Isle - 16/04/10
Josh Levy writes:
After a successful launch of the Schools First National Partnership Forums in Melbourne, we headed south to the Tasman Isle to spread the word about Schools First for 2010.
Informing the community.... - 13/04/10
Belinda Allitt writes:
Last night was the first Schools First Partnership Forum for 2010 and it was held at the iconic MCG in Melbourne! With 33 forums planned across Australia over the next two and a half months, it was fantastic to get the first one underway.
The hills are alive...with Monbulk College and Schools First - 10/04/10
Stuart Osbourne writes:
On a wintry Saturday morning, I headed out to Monbulk in the hills outside of Melbourne with the Head of Schools First, Jodi Cryan to meet some of the outstanding students at Monbulk College – one of our 2009 Impact Award winning schools.
