Schools win in new grants program TWO district schools have been successful in securing funding under a new Victorian Government grants program. Member for Northern Victoria, Jaclyn Symes, last week announced 12 schools including Colbinabbin Primary School and Rushworth P-12 College had been successful in receiving funding under the program that will measure and strengthen student resilience. Ms Symes said the schools approach will include the use of a specialist survey based on compelling international research and evidence linking strong resilience to improved academic outcomes. Based on the findings of each survey, schools will be supported in the development of evidence-based approaches to help build student resilience and wellbeing. Tailored professional learning opportunities will also be available to teaching staff. Schools were selected for funding based on their capacity to deliver a whole-of-school approach to student and staff wellbeing, the level of need among their student population and their ability to support ongoing and sustainable improvements beyond the life of the grant program. Support will be provided to schools to help measure the effectiveness of their strategies and interventions in a years time. There is extensive research proving that higher resilience leads to better educational and social outcomes so targeted, grass-roots projects such as these are vital for helping our students achieve their best at school, Ms Symes said. These initiatives will help schools identify the specific issues within their student populations and provide teachers with tailored professional learning opportunities to help address them. Building Resilience in School Communities grants will help students optimism, confidence, and social and emotional skills and create safer, more supportive school communities.