Creating community connections

The Victorian Government is encouraging schools and education organisations to celebrate community connections during Education Week.

Now in its 77th year, Education Week aims to positively profile and celebrate the strengths and achievements of Victoria’s government education sector.

This year’s theme is Building Connections, which focuses on how the community can act as a support network to encourage students’ learning and development and enhance social inclusion, while celebrating the connections between schools and local communities and strengthening bonds with families and carers.

From May 23 to 29, Education Week is an opportunity for primary and secondary schools, higher education, and early childhood services to showcase how they are building connections with the community around them.

The theme highlights how community connections can help children in early childhood services and education systems to develop social and other skills through engaging with extended family, friends and local community organisations.

Schools play a major part in communities by strengthening community cohesion, while communities can help to improve student learning within and beyond school.

Building Connections recognises when schools, families, and community groups come together to support learning, it provides a richer and more diverse learning experience for students.

Through higher and skill-based education, students can engage in the world of work to build different pathways and social networks.

These help to create smooth transitions into further education, training and employment.

TAFEs can also provide a community hub, where other key parts of the community can come together to deliver diverse types of learning through partnerships with organisations for employment and training.

For more information about taking part in this year’s Education Week, head to bit.ly/3bywME9.