In April, May and early June 2010, the Schools First team is running a series of Partnership Forums across Australia. The Partnership Forums will include important background information on Schools First, the awards criteria, what constitutes a school-community partnership, and how to apply for an award. For those who can’t make it to a Partnership Forum, you’ll be able to watch a forum video online from April. Watch the Online Partnership Forum.

To stay up-to-date with the Partnership Forums, you have two options:

1. receive our monthly e-newsletter – join our mailing list
2. go to the Partnership Forums section to find a convenient date and location.

Focus on one clear key partnership and program that:

a)    has made a difference to your students’ outcomes (Impact Awards); or
b)    will make a difference to your students’ outcomes (Seed Funding Awards).

Don’t include a big list of providers or a range of programs that don’t clearly link together.

Also, don’t seek funding for a service that your school is paying to have delivered. Service delivery is not considered a partnership under the terms of these awards.

The Schools First Awards program is designed to encourage stronger links between schools and potential community partners. Your partnership needs to be between a school and an organisation outside the immediate school. Partnerships with parents or neighbouring schools, no matter how wonderful, are outside the scope of these awards.

If you’re looking to set up a school-community partnership but don’t have a partner, go to the Partnership Matching Service.

This is one of the simplest things you can do but it could make all the difference to the quality of your application. Don’t leave your application until the last minute. In 2009, some applications suffered through being rushed or incomplete.

Preparing your application early means you can take time gathering all the evidence you need and review and refine your application thoroughly before submitting.

Application forms will be available to view online from Tuesday, 1 June 2010. Applications can be submitted online from 9.00am (AEST) on Monday, 28 June until 5.00pm (AEST) on Friday, 30 July 2010.

All applications submitted between 9.00am (AEST) on Monday, 28 June and 5.00pm (AEST) on Friday, 9 July will automatically be entered into the Early Bird competition to win an Apple iMac. Read the competition Terms and Conditions.

Refer to the documents in the Application Pack to help you complete your school’s application – this is the best resource you can use.

The pack includes the Application Guidelines, the Application Terms and Conditions, the Checklist and the Judging Process.

The Schools First team will be available during the application period to answer your questions and provide assistance with completing your application.

Enter the discussion via the Online Discussion Forums, taking place weekdays from 12.00pm until 3.00pm (AEST) from 28 June until 30 July.

Click here to get involved!

In addition to this, you can always contact us a number of ways:

• email us: info@schoolsfirst.edu.au
• call us: 1800 649 141 (our toll-free Schools First hotline open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, AEST/Melb. time).

Also check if your question has been answered in our Application FAQs or General FAQs.

For each award category there are five evidence-based criteria. In 2009, what separated the very best applications from the very good, commendable or promising ones was the nature and quality of the evidence provided to support each criterion.

Evidence can be quantitative and/or qualitative. It should show the need or opportunity that led to the partnership or program being set up in the first place as well as the improved student outcomes associated with the program.

An Impact Award application should:
•    show very clearly the difference the program has made to students; and
•    how the school knows the program has contributed to this difference.

A Seed Funding Award application should
•    show clearly the difference the program is expected to make to students; and
•    any research the school has done to explain why it is confident about this outcome.

Download the What is sound evidence? fact sheet for further information.

We also recommend you attend a Partnership Forum in April, May or early June 2010 or watch a forum online.

To keep updated, join our mailing list to receive our newsletter.

Schools First is about encouraging stronger school-community partnerships.

In 2009, the best Impact Award applications clearly identified the benefits gained by the students and partner(s). The best 2009 Seed Funding applications clearly identified the expected benefits to be gained by the students and partner(s).

Find out more about the 2009 Impact Award and Seed Funding winners.

Make sure you explain how the award funds will be used to strengthen your existing partnership, develop a new partnership and/or promote good practice in school-community partnerships to benefit students. Keep your description simple and clear, with adequate detail.

While this section is not scored, it will be read by the judges.

• Have you provided a response in each section of the application form?
• Do you have the evidence you need? Have you used sound data to support your case for improved outcomes?
• Have you stayed within the word and page limits outlined in the application? The judges will not reaad beyond the prescribed word or page limit.
• Have you restricted your supporting material to an online document?  The judges will not look at CDs, DVDs, or any supporting material that can’t be contained within three A4 pages and printed off. The judges also won’t consider letters of support from the Minister for Education as this is unfair on all other schools in that particular state or territory.
• Have you completed the cover sheet?
• Is all cover sheet information correct? Some schools in 2009 mistyped postcodes, phone numbers and even the school name in some cases. If you win an award, the information, such as your school name and that of your partner(s), is used in all published material including the official certificates.
• If you use acronyms, have you indicated what they stand for?

More information will be available in the application pack. This will be available from April 2010.

To be notified of any updates, join our mailing list.