5 August 2016

Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training

Expanding Learning for Life and School Community Hubs

The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to expand our partnership with The Smith Family to improve the educational outcomes of some of Tasmania’s most disadvantaged children and young people, particularly in rural and regional areas.

In the 2016-17 State Budget the Government allocated funding of $1.6 million over four years for a co-operative investment program between The Smith Family and the Government to expand the Learning for Life program and support the School Community Hubs within the Burnie, Wynyard and Launceston communities.

Education continues to be a priority of this Government, and our continued partnership at Table Cape Primary is part of the suite of programs being put in place by the Tasmanian Government to improve education outcomes, with a focus on the early years and supporting more students to complete year 12.

The Learning for Life and School Community Hubs program will complement the Government’s existing investments by providing a continuity of support and engaging the wider community on the important issue of education.

The Learning for Life scholarship provides long-term support to disadvantaged children and their families in three ways:

• Financial: to help families cover core education-related expenses such as books, uniforms and excursions.
• Practical: a Smith Family staff member who works with the family to support their child’s long-term participation in education.
• Programs: a range of short-term programs to help a student develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and behaviours needed for long-term educational participation and success. Programs include literacy and numeracy, mentoring, learning clubs and career activities, as well as digital and financial literacy initiatives for parents.

School Community Hubs engage the whole community, bringing together primary and secondary schools, local and state Government agencies, community services and business to work towards improving young people’s educational outcomes.

These hubs have implemented a range of programs to give young people a better education, including student and parental engagement activities, an anti-bullying strategy, career pathways initiatives and access to extra-curricular activities.

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