Working in partnership

• The Family-School Partnerships Framework was developed by the Australian Council of State School Organisations, Australian Parents Council and the Australian Government. It provides a set of principles to guide families and schools in developing partnerships, and identifies seven key dimensions of effective family-school partnerships. The framework recognises that many positive developments and innovations are already occurring in schools and that a one-size-fits-all approach to partnerships is not feasible.
• Be You provides educators with knowledge, resources and strategies for helping children and young people achieve their best possible mental health. Be You offers resources to support the mental health and wellbeing of learning communities.
• Partnerships for schools, businesses and communities Educating our young people is the responsibility of the entire community, not just schools. The guiding principles support partnerships between schools, business and communities to improve outcomes for young people.

Across the department

• Disability, learning and support developed an induction checklist for externally funded health, disability and wellbeing service providers that provide their services to students at the school during school hours. Access to the school by an externally funded provider is at the discretion of the principal.
• Aboriginal education and communities have a range of programs and staffing expertise to support schools working effectively with our Aboriginal communities, including Connected communities and Aboriginal language and culture nests.
• The calendar for cultural diversity promotes intercultural understanding, cultural and linguistic diversity, community harmony and social inclusion across NSW public schools and their communities. Culturally inclusive practice is important at the whole school level for every student.
• Schools that promote positive community relations with parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds often have specific, targeted strategies in place.
• Legal Services incorporates parents and community topics within the Legal education hub - including information on family law, AVOs and Community use of facilities.

Sharing stories of effective practice

• Research from schools - Whalan PS highlighted in CESE research
• Digital clips of strategies implemented at Prairiewood High School, Holroyd High School, Liverpool Public School, Islington Public School and Chester Hill Public School to strengthen the engagement of families from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Other local and state government examples
  • City of Sydney community consultation
  • Community Building Partnership

Professional learning

• The department's Communication and Engagement directorate runs professional learning for school staff around a range of communications tools and strategies.
• Credential - Leadership Pathways Engaging and working with the community