Idea strikes right note

By Bridget Cook
TWO Rivergum Primary School students have been recognised for their forward-thinking idea.
Hampton Park students Kasim Ibrahim and Michael Schreiber were awarded with an inaugural NAB Schools First Student Award for their exceptional school-community partnership idea.
Their idea to form a partnership between Rivergum Primary School, Victoria Police and their New Emerging Communities Liaison Officer (NECLO) has been announced as one of five winners from across Australia in the new award.
The partnership will involve organising a family fun day soccer match between students of the school and Victoria Police. The aim of this idea is to encourage trust, respect and communication between local youths and the police.
Rivergum Primary School will receive $2,000 to assist with the implementation of this partnership idea, while Kasim and Michael will receive an Apple iPad for their individual contribution and leadership on initiating the idea and submitting the application.
NAB Schools First will host a Student Award Workshop in Melbourne in November, where all winners will be invited to attend to participate in discussion around the development and progress of their partnership.
NAB retail local regional executive Marcus Cotrill said he was proud to see a local student’s idea selected as one of the national winners.
“It’s great to see young members of our community developing fresh, innovative and effective ideas on how schools can partner with the local community,” he said.
“It will be interesting to see the school build on this idea and hopefully it will inspire more students to get involved with school-community initiatives that ultimately strengthen our community network.”
In addition to the student award, NAB Schools First also has $5 million in funding to award to 110 school-community partnerships in 2011.
Applications for the NAB Schools First Impact and Seed Funding Awards are now open.
Applications close on Friday 29 July. To find out more and to apply visit www.schoolsfirst.edu.au.