We wish to establish a program to provide for 8 children from Mahogany Rise Primary School, Frankston North to participate in a 2013 international exchange to Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth, Scotland.

The participating children will be accompanied by two members of school staff and will be hosted by staff and families of Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth, Scotland. In addition to experiencing several days of school life in Scotland and sharing their own unique life stories with the Goodlyburn community, the children will travel to see sights of Scottish cultural and historical significance.

In order to achieve our goals we're hoping to raise approximately AU$25,000 of which we wish to raise a minimum of AU$10,000 through our Pozible page.  We'd love your support! 

This site can receive payment through PayPal and Debit/Credit Card.  Money is only taken from your account once we acheive our goal of $10,000

Context

In 2011 two teachers from opposing hemispheres traded places for twelve months. Ms. Catherine Thoms of Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth, Scotland and Mr. Daniel Riley of Mahogany Rise Primary School in Frankston North, ambassadors for their respective education systems, exchanged lives for an International Teacher Fellowship exchange.

The 2011 exchange was the birth of a strong bond between Mahogany Rise Primary School in Frankston North and Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth, Scotland. Mahogany Rise Principal John Culley has now twice visited Scotland’s Goodlyburn Primary School and, in August of this year, a second ‘wee Scot’ teacher from Goodlyburn in turn visited Mahogany Rise. Perhaps most importantly, however, children from both schools continue to exchange letters and continue to share their stories, hopes and dreams with one another. This presents a significant opportunity.

Brief Review of Literature

• - Bus (1995) and Goldrick (2006) both highlight the significance of excursions which ‘broaden horizons’ for children of low socio-economic backgrounds
• - A plethora of research highlights the idea that poverty affects children’s health, development, achievement and behaviour (Aber, Bennet and Conley, 1997; McLoyd, 1998; Spencer, 2000; Draper, Turrell and Oldenburg, 2005; Zwi and Henry, 2005; Hirsch 2007).
• - Bradshaw (2001; 2002) and Morrell, Page and Taylor (2001) highlight the notion that childhood poverty has physical, cognitive, behavioural and emotional outcomes: on mortality, morbidity, accidents, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, homelessness, educational attainment, school exclusion, youth crime, smoking, alcohol and drug use, suicide, self-image, happiness and subjective well being
• - Harper, Marcus and Moore (2003) and Lundberg (1993) highlight the idea of children as a ‘social investment’

Aims and Objectives of the 2013 Cultural Exchange

The impacts of this proposed program for families in Frankston North are far reaching and include:

Outcomes for Children:

• Enriched life experience for children of disadvantaged backgrounds
• Enhanced capacity for aspirational life outlook
• Enhanced leadership capacity
• Enriched oral language skills
• Enhanced interpersonal skills
• Enhanced self esteem
• Experience of another country and its people and culture
• Increased self management and relationship skills

Family Outcomes:

• Experience for families to relate and share for years to come
• Deepened and broadened family relationships
• Enhanced capacity for aspirational life outlook
• Increased engagement child’s education
• Increased information and communication technology (ICT) skills

Community Outcomes:

• Internationalisation of the Frankston North community
• Establishment of an international forum for children of Frankston North to share their story
• Expanded aspirational ‘horizons’ for families of Frankston North

• Enhanced link between the Mahogany Rise Primary School community with Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth, Scotland
• Enhanced community pride
• Increased awareness of intercultural exchange

Please support us in any way you can - every little helps!

Our aim to provide for eight children from Mahogany Rise Primary School in Frankston North to participate in an international exchange is grand but nevertheless very achievable provided we mobilise community and government support.

This project will be the first of its kind as a unique international experience for children who very rarely leave the local community of Frankston North. The project would involve a ‘whole of school’ community approach as we involve children, parents and the wider community in the use of information and communication technology to track the journey through Skype, blogs and social media.

It is imperative that children who experience disadvantage, such as those in Frankston North, be given an opportunity to enhance their own self awareness, to be introduced to responsible decision making and ambassadorship and to ultimately be provided with hope and aspiration. This is truly an exciting opportunity for the children of Frankston North.

We therefore seek your assistance in achieving the aims and outcomes outlined in this proposal in order to ultimately widen the dream for a community of some of Australia’s most disadvantaged children and families.

Our Pozible deadline is Australia Day 2013 so please donate now! 

Thank you very, very much for your support!

www.mahoganyriseps.vic.edu.au