Whole of School Intervention Strategy

The Whole of School Intervention Strategy (WoSI) involves communities and parents working with schools and other organisations to improve the educational outcomes of Indigenous school students.

The WoSI Strategy is made up of two elements; the Parent School Partnerships Initiatives (PSPIs) and Homework Centres (HWCs).

Application for funding forms can be submitted throughout the year but applications will only be considered as part of a designated funding round, usually held twice a year, with closing dates 31 March and 31 August.

The Parent School Partnerships Initiatives (PSPIs) encourages parents of Indigenous students, Indigenous communities, schools and other organisations, to work together to address local barriers to education.

The PSPI supplements mainstream education services and programmes, and may provide a mechanism for capacity building in Indigenous communities to enhance learning outcomes of Indigenous students.

• build the capacity of parents and communities to motivate and assist students;
• improve the quality of teaching and teacher/student relationships; and
• develop networks with local business and community groups, to help support learning and a positive attitude to learning inside and outside of school.

1. improve attendance;
2. improve literacy and numeracy skills;
3. increase retention of Indigenous Students from Years 10-12;
4. Improve Year 12 (or equivalent) completion rates;
5. ensure Indigenous children are ready, and inspired, to learn in the school environment;
6. strengthen the capacity of parents and the community to work with schools to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students; and
7. improve transitions at critical times of education and school to work transitions

Further information is contained in the Indigenous Education Programmes (IEP) Provider Guidelines 2005-2008, which outlines DEST’s Indigenous Education Programmes for clients and service providers. You may also wish to contact the local Indigenous Education Unit of DEST about submission of a PSPI application. The Units are located throughout Australia and can be contacted on 1800 800 821.

PSPI - Early Childhood Education Focus

In 2006 an additional $5 million was allocated towards PSPIs to target early childhood education.

The Government is committed to help Indigenous parents make a smooth transition from pre-school to school. This ensures the plan for Indigenous children nationally to gain access to two years of quality early childhood education before their first year of schooling.

Further information about PSPIs generally is contained in the Indigenous Education Programmes (IEP) Provider Guidelines 2005-2008, which outlines DEST’s Indigenous Education Programmes for clients and service providers. You may also wish to contact the local Indigenous Education Unit of DEST about submission of a PSPI application specifically focused on early childhood education. The Units are located throughout Australia and can be contacted on 1800 800 821.

Homework Centres (HWC) are part of the Australian Government’s Whole of School Intervention Strategy which encourages schools and local Indigenous communities to work in partnership to develop and deliver initiatives to improve education outcomes for Indigenous school students.

HWCs provide a supervised after-school hour’s environment which encourages Indigenous students to complete their homework and to study. These are usually set up in a school classroom, library or other school building and are supervised by people from the local Indigenous community and schools.

HWCs aim to provide a supervised, supportive after-school environment for Indigenous students to complete their homework or to study.

1. literacy and numeracy skills of Indigenous school students;

2. homework and assignment completion rates; and

3. students’ study habits.

Further information is contained in the Indigenous Education Programmes (IEP) Provider Guidelines 2005-2008, which outlines DEST’s Indigenous Education Programmes for clients and service providers. You may also wish to contact the local Indigenous Education Unit of DEST about submission of a Homework Centre application. The Units are located throughout Australia and can be contacted on 1800 800 821.

Applications can be lodged using one of the following methods –

• Apply electronically.  This method enables you to provide applications and supporting information directly to DEST using the INDIGO system.  Click here  to access the INDIGO system, then either:
  
  
• log into INDIGO if you are already a registered user, or
• click on either the New PSPI Application or New HWC Application button to access the appropriate application form
  

User guides are available to assist you in using INDIGO, and can be accessed by clicking either link below.  Your computer will need to be able to read PDF files using a product called Adobe Reader ©, before accessing the user guides.  Click here  if you need to download a free copy of Adobe Reader ©.

• PSPI INDIGO user guide    (1.3 MB)
• HWC INDIGO user guide    (1.3 MB)

OR

• Download a form which you will need to print, complete and post to your nearest DEST office.  Click here to access either the PSPI or HWC forms.  If choosing the PDF version of the application forms, your computer will need to be able to read PDF files, using a product called Adobe Reader©.  Click here  if you need to obtain a free copy of Adobe Reader ©.

For more information about the Whole of School Intervention Strategy, including more detailed information on the Parent School Partnerships Initiative and Homework Centres, click on the link to access the Indigenous Education Programmes (IEP) Provider Guidelines 2005-2008, which outlines DEST’s Indigenous Education Programmes for clients and service providers.

Click on the link to access the funding approvals of PSPIs and HWCs for each State in 2005.