Thursday, August 2, 11:30-12:00, SUB Ballroom B, Theme: Partnership

This presentation examines one small rural school's partnerships with community organisations and industry to provide learning opportunities for students. The program involves components (or spokes) such as Mechanics Matter which involves students working with the apprentice coordinator from Cummins South Pacific, a diesel motor company; Radio Rocks which involves students presenting programs on community radio and achieving a qualification; SUN Students which involves senior secondary students completing up to five university subjects while they are still at school. As these courses are offered on-line, they are ideal for students in rural and remote schools. the school's partnership with the local police station has seen the school students constructing the new counter in the police station and a local police officer  run gym workout sessions in the school's gym.

The Mechanics Matter students are always successful in obtaining apprenticeships; the Radio Rocks students have transitioned into careers in public relations, the Arts, Journalism and radio presenting. Over half of our senior cohort generally now transition to university study in such diverse fields as Accounting, Business, Engineering, Journalism, Law, Medical Imaging, Nursing,  Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Teaching.

The program has been awarded - an Australian Rural Education Award (2011), Regional Showcase Awards of Excellence and was a State Finalist in the Showcase Awards and the school was acknowledged as the number one school in Queensland in terms of senior students' outcomes and in meeting senior students' needs.