Gordon Rich-Phillips MLC
Member for Southern Eastern Metropolitan Region
Monday 20 October 2014
$140,000 in grants to connect south-east students with the
world
Students at four schools across the south east are among 14 schools statewide that
are on track to becoming citizens of the world thanks to $140,000 in sister school
grants from the Victorian Coalition Government.
Gordon Rich-Philips, Member for South Eastern Metropolitan Region, has welcomed
the announced grants, which will enable more schools to benefit from having a sister
school overseas.
“Bringing Victorian and overseas schools closer together is part of our plan to
prepare young people for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow," Mr
Rich-Philips said.
“Sister school partnerships provide students with real world exposure to other
languages, cultures and ideas, while laying the groundwork for lasting networks and
friendships with young people overseas,” he said.
Thirteen government schools and one Catholic school, including Albany Rise
Primary School (Mulgrave), Keysborough Primary School, Silverton Primary School
(Noble Park) and McClelland College (Frankston) succeeded in receiving $10,000
each to assist in setting up a partnership, bringing the total number of government
schools with sister schools to a record high of 305.
Partnerships typically allow students and teachers to interact and learn from each
other through teleconferencing technology at school and through exchange and
study tour opportunities.
Minster for Education Martin Dixon said the grants scheme formed part of the
Victorian Coalition Government's $300,000 election commitment to strengthen sister
schools in Victoria.
“Building relationships with schools overseas – sharing our successes with them and
learning about what they do well – is all part of our plan to make Victoria a world
leader in education,” Mr Dixon said.
“Sister school partnerships can improve students' intercultural and language skills,
and prepare them to be active and engaged citizens of the world.”
All Victorian schools can use the new Sister School Resource Kit as a guide to how
to set up partnerships with schools overseas.
Media contacts: Cathy Stanislawski / Janet Cummings 9794 7667
cathy.stanislawski@parliament.vic.gov.au
janet.cummings@parliament.vic.gov.au
Visit www.gordon.rich-phillips.com.au for more news
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Visit www.gordon.rich-phillips.com.au for more news