LIVING IN HARMONY
| ASHFIELD HOME |
| HARMONY DAY |
| NAIDOC |
| ARTS FESTIVAL |
| FOOD FESTIVAL |
| RESOURCE LIST |
Background to the project Ashfield Public School has for many years been committed to developing the school as a hub of its community. The school has been working in partnership with community agencies and groups to better serve the needs of its families from diverse backgrounds. New Horizons -Building Cross Cultural Community Bridges was the name given to the project, funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. The $50 000, received in 200, and WestsAshfield grant of $12 500 in 2009 enabled the school to put further resources into implementing its vision. This New Horizons Project has helped to create a cross-cultural hub in the local community, by co-ordinating projects that encourage multicultural participation and promote social integration. The project assists in overcoming social isolation and facilitating access to community support networks, especially for those people from non- English speaking backgrounds. Through participation within our mainstream community, and offering a broad range of activities, the project aimed to help people realise the positive effects being in-community can have on their well-being and future in Australia. The New Horizons Project has developed programmes that create opportunities for those from other cultures to discover and utilise local service and support providers, as well as supporting each other. A Coordinated Parent Workshop Calendar, produced by Ashfield Council was added to and enhanced, involving an increased number of provider partners to families in the Ashfield municipality. The Community Resource Booklet complements existing Ashfield Council directories. In partnership with these community groups and agencies, integrated presentations, workshops, cultural and social activities and other networking opportunities have been held throughout 2008 and 2009.These have been well attended and provided exciting opportunities for multicultural interaction and mutual support. A number of groups were instrumental in assisting with the running of the forums and workshops. Click here for the Community Resources page. Apart from the many parent and grandparent workshops held at the school during 2008, APS hosted four New Horizons forums. The information on these forums has been retained for interest.
Click the event name for photographs and further information. Organisation of the Living in Harmony New Horizons Project Part of the funding allocation included selecting an administrative coordinator. Joan Drummond , Teacher Librarian at the school. Her knowledge and understanding of the school and its commitments as well as experience with the wider community qualified her for the position. The Steering Committee continued its commitment to the project throughout 2009. This group included:
The commitment of the members of the steering committee assisted in the smooth running of the project. Special thanks for their support and advice. The partnerships that have been created with Ashfield Council and several of the above agencies, in delivering the parent workshop programme continued in 2009. The SRA (Supplementary Recurrent Assistance) Indigenous Grant which is an initiative of NSW Department of Education, Sydney Region, assisted in the continunity of the celebration of NAIDOC. Indigenous teachers have been a part of the school and community learning programs. Key programmes which integrate into, and further support this vision of the school as the learning hub of its community include
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Robyn Hutchinson, Principal, December, 2009 . This project is proudly supported by the Australian Government's Living In Harmony program. Visit www.harmony.gov.au for further information.
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