Doherty’s Creek P-9 College has been successful in receiving funding to deliver strong, sustainable and meaningful connections with Victoria’s Indian community.
Minister for Education James Merlino today announced that eleven schools across the state had been awarded funding as part of the Connecting Schools with Indian Communities program.
This pilot program aims to develop partnerships between schools and Victoria’s thriving Indian community. It will enable Victorian students to develop their intercultural capabilities, appreciate and respect cultural difference and strengthen people-to-people links within communities.
Victoria is proud to be home to the largest Indian community of any Australian state. This vibrant and growing community are an asset to Victoria and can connect our schools with the knowledge and networks required to effectively engage with India in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected.
The project will see Doherty’s Creek P-9 College deliver a Community Hub and co-designed garden.
Funding of $25,000 has been awarded to support the development of a Community Hub and Kitchen Garden program which will be co-designed with Indian origin families with the purpose of increasing engagement with the school.
In recognition of Victoria’s deep connection with India, the Victorian Government launched Victoria’s India Strategy: Our Shared Future in 2018, to celebrate our personal connections with India and form the foundations for a mutually beneficial partnership.
The Connecting Schools with Indian Communities program is one of three educational initiatives in the strategy and aims to develop and deepen Victorian schools’ engagement with India and build on the strengths of our diverse multicultural population.
Development of Hindi-language resources for non-native speakers and programs featuring Indian cultural texts and films are just some of the projects being delivered across schools as part of the program. The program received a high number of applications from across the state and all funding has now been allocated.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“The program is a ’hands-on’ learning opportunity for our students to deepen their intercultural capabilities and strengthen community connections in Victoria.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly
“The program will equip Doherty’s Creek P-9 College students to develop their global citizenship and intercultural capabilities, and to understand, appreciate and respect community diversity.”
