Service-Learning Australia

Teachers often believe (quite correctly) that they can develop service-learning projects in isolation from community partners.  It is true that forming community partnerships can be time-consuming and it can be difficult to sustain them, however once developed, these partnerships result in better experiences for your students and better outcomes for the community.

At the beginning of the planning process, identify a range of community partners who could work with you, give them an overview of what you want to achieve and invite them to a planning session.  Naturally, this would include representatives of the community your students hope to serve and it might also include:

• Representatives from the local council.  The local council offers a wide range of services – environmental, aged care, library services etc.  They are keen to assist schools and have many resources your students might find useful for their project.  Maitland council in New South Wales has developed an Overview of Council Resources and the points at which these might be used by students in developing service-learning.  Your council has similar resources. 
• Members of indigenous land councils
• The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
• Waterwatch Australia
• Local Police
• Parents
• Service Clubs (Rotary, Lyons etc.)
• Local businesses

If you involve a wide range of potential community partners at the planning stages they will know what you and your students hope to do, will be more prepared to offer assistance and might suggest enhancements to the service activity, which would assist your students in achieving curriculum outcomes.  Feelings of trust and mutual understanding will build and you will develop networks that will assist in developing further good quality service-learning activities.

Ideas on how to build and sustain community partnerships are in the “Community” Section of the “Connect” Module.