Banksia Secondary College

History of Banksia S.C. and Berry Street Partnership

Banksia S.C. / Berry St. Full Service School Project

(funded by the Myer Foundation)


Late last year Berry Street received funding from the Myer Foundation to work with Banksia S. C. to further explore and develop the concept of "full service schooling". By this we mean a model where schools work collaboratively with their local community agencies to best meet the needs of the students and their families. Banksia S.C. and Berry Street now have a long history of working together on joint projects.

History of Banksia S.C. / Berry Street Partnership

 1995 -2000 Creating New Choices Project
The- aim of this project is to address the issue of violence among young people. Through this project the following activities have been conducted:

  • Student Workshops Violence Awareness Weeks
  • Staff Workshops and Information Sessions
  • Parent Workshops and Information Sessions
  • Student, Parent and Staff Surveys
  • Multicultural Weeks
  • Disability Awareness Activities
  • Curriculum Development
  • Outreach Counselling
    The work done in this project was recognised by an Australian Violence Prevention Award in 1997. This project continues to operate but not with the original resources as Berry Street now also works with several other schools.

     1996-1998 Getting Along Project
    This project built on the work done by the "Creating New Choices' project by teaching students conflict resolution and mediation skills. A program was delivered to all Year 8 and 9 students, then particular students were invited to be trained as Peer Mediators.

     1998-1999 NSN / ACEE Full Service Schools Project
    This project saw the involvement of the Banksia / Berry St. partnership in a Research Circle that investigated and developed the concept of "full service schooling". This was a national project. Funding provided an increase in the Student Welfare Coordinator's time, an Outreach Counselling Program and support for the Berry St "Out-of-school Program". Particular outcomes of the project were the development of the Welfare Team, including representatives of community agencies, a case-management approach to student welfare and greater support from Banksia for young people involved in the education programs at Berry St.

     2000 Myer Foundation Full Service Schools Project
    Continuation of the work done in previous project.

     2000 School Focus Youth Service Grant
    This money has been used in conjunction with Bellfield PS to provide support for young people, and their families, who are at risk of drifting away from school. Berry St has provided the outreach counsellor to do this work.

    Banksia S. C. as a Full Service School

         Banksia currently works collaboratively with the following community agencies in meeting the needs of the students and their families.

    Welfare
  • Berry Street
  • Department of Human Services - Strengthening Families
  • Banyule Community Health Centre
  • Alys Keys
  • Austin Hospital
  • KITS (Keeping Kids in Schools)
  • Anglicare
  • NECASA (North Eastern Council Against Sexual Assault)

    Student Leadership
  • Banyule Youth Services

    Career Pathways
  • Northern TAFE
  • JPET ( Job Placement, Education and Training)
  • NIECAP
  • Inner Northern Group Training

    The Arts
  • Banyule Council
  • Australian Youth Broadway Chorus

    Multiculturalism
  • Migrant Resource Centre
  • A. M. E. S.
    Full Service Schools