Development of formal school/community education agreements AIC Schools, Western Australia

1. Development of formal school/community education agreements AIC Schools, Western Australia Les Mack AICS Support Unit July 2010

4. AICS Support Unit • Advisory role only – not supervisory • Overcome issues associated with physical and professional isolation • Curriculum planning • Financial planning • HR • Registration • Offices in Broome and Perth

5. School/Community Education Agreement • development timeframe • 2007 AIC Schools’ annual conference commenced development of draft template • 2008 AIC Schools’ annual conference revised draft • Terms 3 & 4 2008 facilitated the agreements development • 2010 Revision of current agreements

6. You know when you’re getting somewhere when the arguments start. • Work within existing governance/political frameworks • Reassure those with power that processes will not undermine their authority.

7. Processes • Often community first (broad objectives), then Principal & teachers (detailed PIs) • Initial draft developed and presented to all stakeholders • Residential schools: • Feeder community surveys and interviews • School governing body only

10. Format

18. 2010 Review • (8 of 14 schools so far) • Enthusiastic community and school staff engagement in the review process • Demonstrated potential for agreements to provide continuity in school development • Provided stakeholders with renewed statements that focused on student attainment • Rekindle commitment to cooperative effort

19. The lessons • Developing the agreements is the easy part • Embedding them into school and community development processes will take time – years • Agreements need to be treated as working documents • Review process should be facilitated by third party

20. Thankyou Les Mack AICS Support Unit July 2010