Ballina High School wins $100,000 Schools First Award
Ballina High School has been awarded the prestigious title of Schools First New South Wales State Impact winner for 2010 and $100,000 in funding.
Schools First is brought to life by National Australia Bank (NAB) in partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and The Foundation for Young Australians.
The awards are based on research from ACER that proves young people benefit when they are engaged with their community throughout their education.
The award is in recognition of the outstanding results the school has achieved in partnership with the Ballina Shire Council in establishing and maintaining the Ballina Marine Discovery and Resource Centre.
Students have benefited from hands-on learning opportunities, and this has resulted in increased attendance rates and transition into alternate educational pathways such as courses in Aquaculture at TAFE.
Schools First judges assessed this community partnership as being NSW’s leading example of the benefits that can be achieved when schools and communities work together.
“This is a true partnership that demonstrates the benefits that can be achieved for all parties when students and the community work together and one that Schools First is proud to declare a State Impact winner,” said Jodi Cryan, Head of Schools First, NAB.
“Educating students on ecological and marine issues to allow them to use, enjoy and protect environments they encounter during their lives, the Centre has led to innovative and hands-on learning opportunities, and provided practical life skills for students.”
Ballina High School was one of 21 $50,000 New South Wales Local Impact winners vying for the state title, and will now go on to represent NSW at the National Impact awards, where one school will walk away with a $500,000 award.
“The calibre of Schools First Local Impact award winners has been remarkable. This year we received 880 incredibly strong applications from around the country, so Ballina High School has every reason to feel exceptionally proud of their achievements,” said Cryan.
Ballina High School will now represent NSW at the Schools First National Impact awards in Sydney on Friday 26th November.
November 5th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Congratulations, well done to Ballina High School for this achievement. I am so proud of you all. I went to Ballina High from 1948-1950, and loved every day of it, and we did not have the opportunities as the children have today. I would love to be able to go back to school and share in the experiences the youth of today in education. A big big big thank to Michael O’Connor and his staff. Maybe you can nominate the school for AOM for Australia Day. Good luck for the 26th, onward and upward for Ballina High.