First schools announced in ‘Collective Ed’ pilot project
The first three Tasmanian Secondary schools to take part in a unique and potentially transformative education project have been announced.
Jordan River Learning Federation, Rokeby High School and Ulverstone High School will be part of the first phase of the Collective Ed project, which has the aim of drastically improving Year 12 completion rates. These three schools will extend to Years 11 and 12 in 2017.
Collective Ed will value add to the Tasmanian State Government’s My Education Framework introduced in 2016. In addition to the three schools announced today, to take part in 2017, an additional three schools will be able to come on board in 2018.
Schools will work with local and global industry representatives to co-design and co-deliver lessons, creating engaging learning that aligns to relevant industry practice. Year 7-12 students will then have access to learning that is brought to life through real world application and opportunities to explore future work possibilities. Staff will be provided to each school to undertake this work. Each staff member will work with one of three core stakeholder groups involved, namely teachers, industry representatives and students and their families.
Each of this round’s successful schools tendered an Expression of Interest document, which was then assessed for eligibility in 2017.
The pilot project is funded by the Paul Ramsay Foundation and the Tasmanian State Government. The Paul Ramsay Foundation, the biggest philanthropic organisation in Australia, is providing $10 million over five years, and the Tasmanian State Government is providing $5 million.
Beacon Foundation’s Project Director for Collective Ed says,
“Beacon has been at the centre of collaborative education in Australia for almost 30 years. We already link schools to industry in every state and territory around Australia, to provide opportunities for young people while they are still at school which help prevent disengagement and unemployment.
“This new project will have the advantage of doing this work in a more concentrated way, and we are confident it will achieve success”.
Simon Freeman is CEO of The Paul Ramsay Foundation, and says this about the announcement:
“Congratulations to the three school communities for putting their hands up to be part of this bold initiative. It is a pleasure to work with The Beacon Foundation and The Tasmanian Government to ensure that the collaborative education project is being built on strong foundations.
“We are taking Beacon’s wealth of experience, alongside the strong evidence for collaborative approaches and working with the individual schools to tailor a range of strategies to meet the needs of pupils. What we learn from our endeavours will be of benefit, not just for the schools involved, but for the whole Tasmanian education system and beyond.”
One of the schools selected for 2107 is Jordan River Learning Federation. Its Principal Sandy Menadue says,
“The project has the great capacity to demonstrate how relevant and meaningful education can provide hope and opportunity for our students.
“We are particularly interested in the strategic merit of developing strong industry and community partnerships in order to develop innovative educational and training packages that inspire learners, challenge traditional paradigms and create employment upon transition.”
Underlying the project is the fact young people without a Year 12 qualification are being locked out of the labour market.
Research has also shown that young Tasmania’s attitudes to, and choices about education are fundamentally tied to their community and family.
The Collective Ed. pilot project will be evaluated and reviewed within each school as it progresses.
–ENDS-
For Further Information
Beacon Foundation
Email: beacon@beaconfoundation.net
