Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund Grant Application Guidelines – Round Two September 2013

Overview Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund $5 million over four years ( ) Two rounds of two year grants to government, Catholic and independent P-12 and secondary schools, including specialist schools, in rural and regional Victoria Funding for localised programs and initiatives that improve school retention rates and expand on the range of pathway options for senior students Round Two open from 4 September, close 5pm 24 October 2013 Implementation for 2 years and 2015 Clusters or groups of schools encouraged to apply

Purpose of the Grants Program Fund programs or initiatives that are: locally-driven, and demonstrate how they will improve rates of Year 12 retention in rural and regional areas Enhance capacity for regional and rural schools to achieve: improved educational options and opportunities for secondary students improved student well-being increased capacity to tailor programs to specific abilities or aspirations increased opportunities to support students in the transition to further education, training and/or employment

Purpose of the Grants Program Grants should complement other initiatives in regional Victoria including: Towards Victoria as a Learning Community Refocusing Vocational Training in Victoria Skilling the Bay Skilling the Valley Regional Partnerships Facilitation Fund

Eligibility Open to Victorian secondary and P-12 colleges and specialist schools located in non-metropolitan areas, including Catholic and Independent schools Schools located in the former non-metropolitan regions Applications from: clusters or groups of schools within the same community, and those that demonstrate collaborative approaches across sectors, including community sector are strongly encouraged. Cluster or partnership applications should nominate a lead school and be endorsed by the School Council President and principal of the lead school.

Application Process Round Two Application Form template and Guidelines can be found on ges/yr12retentionfund.aspx Applications to be submitted by Application submissions close 5pm on 24 OCTOBER 2013 Late applications will not be accepted Enquiries should be directed to

Assessment of Applications Selection Criteria: 1.Need 2.Program Design 3.Partnerships 4.Capacity 5.Sustainability –Address all relevant selection criteria and provide relevant supporting material where appropriate –Complete the budget section –Grants $50,000 - $150,000 over two years –Larger grants may be considered

Funded Activities New strategies or expansion of existing strategies that will reduce barriers to retention, such as: supporting the capacity of the school to engage in partnerships to expand pathway options; extending curriculum options; the delivery of expanded learning options including vocational pathways; the development of mentoring programs; initiatives that build on parent engagement in their childs education outcomes; and vocational training programs that support better student outcomes, including for those at risk of early leaving.

Non-Funded Activities Capital/building works Replication of activities funded by other programs Staffing only when able to demonstrate capacity for sustainability Core focus Year retention and expanding pathway options Year 7-9 may be considered if evidence provided on benefits to retention

Conditions Funding provided in a staged manner over 2 year duration Lead school will receive the funds 6 monthly reports Recipient/s must participate in evaluation Recipient schools must incorporate initiatives in annual school plans Grant money must be expended by 31 December 2015 Any unused monies must be returned to the Department The Department reserves the right to use all or part of any material

Reporting Schedule ReportDate Required 1 st progress report30 June nd progress report7 December rd progress report28 June 2015 Final Report1 November 2015