Right Gutter Content

Accessibility Buttons

• 
• 
• 
• 

You may need the following browser plugins or software to view some parts of this site:

• Flash
• Acrobat

 

Page Contents

More about Carlton Primary Community Learning

The Carlton Primary Community Learning project is an example of one particular attempt to improve outcomes for a disadvantaged community in inner Melbourne providing opportunities for lifelong learning.

The project has established the local primary school as a community hub, where a number of activities and programs take place, designed to enhance the learning opportunities and experiences for Carlton residents, in particular those who dwell on the high rise public housing estate.

This community learning project was established as a result of research conducted in the local area. The project employs one worker to coordinate the use of the space; this position is funded by the City of Melbourne, the Drummond Street Relationship Centre, and some smaller grants.

Research

A 2005 needs analysis conducted by Swinburne University presents a scenario that sees Carlton housing estate residents facing barriers to learning opportunities that include not feeling safe outside the estate, a severe lack of childcare, and lack of personal transport. The research also offered the insight that many people are not interested in formal study, but are enthusiastic about the prospect of learning new skills. It was also made clear that people were willing to offer their own skills to enhance the learning of others. One of the aims of the project is to tap in to the wealth of talent residing in our local area. A striking finding from the survey was the sheer diversity in the respondents’ past experiences and current and future needs. The research identified that any attempt to improve services will need to tailor programs directly for small population segments rather than attempting to cater to everyone.

Lifelong Learning

The concept of lifelong learning is to acknowledge that learning does not just happen in a linear form, as represented by most formal education, but that learning happens across all stages of life, in a variety of ways. It encompasses formal and informal learning, and serves to develop knowledge and skills, improving the ways in which individuals can function within and contribute to their communities.

The key aims of the community learning project include

• Having a worker as a resource for strengthening the link between the school, home, and the wider community, as well as administrative requirements, grant writing and research.
• Offering the school as space for the local community.
• Expanding and bringing together the users of the school’s facilities.
• Providing a cohesive approach to the hiring out of the school’s facilities.
• The promotion and support of what is happening on the site.
• Improving the educational and social outcomes for our students, their families and community.

Use of the school:

The school is used by a variety of community groups in a variety of ways, some of these include:

• Facilitated playgroups
  Run by qualified Early Childhood Professionals from the Carlton Family Resource Centre. There are currently two playgroups operating in the school space, utilising the ‘Playstation’ space that is filled with toys, and art materials for the children.
  
  
• English Classes
  The community learning project has worked in conjunction with qualified ESL teachers from the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre to provide English classes with childcare, making use of the ‘Playstation’.
  
  
• Computer Classes
  In partnership with organisations such as InfoXchange, the school is able to make use of its computer lab to offer computer classes. Other local groups are able to organise their own teacher and have access to the space.
  
  
• Homework Clubs
  The Carlton Parkville Youth Services runs a homework club two afternoons each week at the school. St Jude’s Anglican church also runs a homework club one evening a week.
  
  
• Melbourne Moreland Yarra Horn of Africa Women’s Group Inc
  This group utilises the school one evening each fortnight for meetings.
  
  
• 
  The Sorghum Sisters giving
  the Hon John Thwaites some
  cooking tips in the school’s kitchen.
  Photo Courtesy of AMES
  The Sorghum Sisters
  The Sorghum Sisters is a cooking and catering enterprise run out of the school’s kitchen, set up by AMES (Adult Multicultural Education Services). The women make delicious North African food, and operate their business out of the school’s large kitchen. They also provide the children with low cost school lunches, supporting the school in their focus on healthy eating.
  
• Special Events
  Carlton Primary Community Learning is involved in organising community events, and Harmony Day is a wonderful example of a successful event. Each year Harmony day sees people from many cultures, and all walks of life coming together to celebrate cultural diversity.
  Another example was the Healthy Eating day. A partnership between the school and the Adult Multicultural Education Services, with lots of support from local agencies, the day was about promoting healthy eating in schools.

See photos from these events and more, below…

For an enlarged view of any of these photos, just select them.