Eight local schools have been awarded funding grants from the state government to help support their African and Pasifika students.
The eight schools are one of 23 with large cohorts of students from African and Pasifika backgrounds that have been awarded grants to support them to engage and reach their full potential in education.
The 23 schools are recipients of round five of the Strengthening School Engagement grants as part of the Place-Based Partnerships to Support School Engagement and Completion Initiative, who will share in $2.65 million of funding annually.
While many African and Pasifika youths are actively involved in the community, the initiative allows schools with high populations of young people from either background to design and deliver place-based approaches to increase students’ school participation and completion rates.
Grant recipients will receive support annually in 2024, 2025 and 2026 to employ a full-time Community Liaison Officer as a key contact who will support young people to engage with their education and provide targeted intervention programs.
The grants will support eight local schools including, Catholic Regional College St Albans, Catholic Regional College Sydenham, Copperfield College (Kings Park, Sydenham and Delahey campuses), Springside West Secondary College (Fraser Rise), in partnership with Lakeview Senior College (Caroline Springs), St Albans Secondary College, Sunshine College (North, West and Harvester Technical College campuses – North Sunshine and West Sunshine), and Victoria University Secondary College (Junior, Deer Park, and Senior campuses, St Albans).
St Albans Secondary College has also received funding to support its Student and Family Engagement (SaFE) Program to employ a Student and Family Engagement Officer who will implement supports and programs to engage students and parents.
Education Minister Ben Carroll supporting students to engage and stay connected with their school helps build their confidence and enhances their opportunities to thrive.
“Partnerships like these are the key to unlocking innovative approaches to tackle the challenges faced by students of African or Pasifika backgrounds and providing them with better opportunities to get ahead in life,” he said.
