It’s lift-off for Learning in Families Together

The first 12 of about 80 schools to implement the Hodgman Liberal Government’s new $17.75 million literacy and numeracy initiative, Learning in Families Together, have today been announced.

This investment in students with greatest need is a result of our strong budget management.

LIFT will encourage greater cooperation than ever before between schools, students and their families, helping to lift the educational outcomes of young Tasmanians in the greatest need.

It will focus on children from Kindergarten to Year 2 to encourage parents or other guardians to be actively involved in their child’s learning and ensure young Tasmanians have the very best start in the basics of literacy and numeracy.

LIFT will begin in Term 1 next year in about 80 schools , where students are struggling most with the basics and are in need of additional literacy and numeracy support. This is in line with the principles of Gonski; to lift education by targeting funding where it’s needed most.

I am very pleased to today announce the first 12 schools to participate in LIFT:

• Gagebrook Primary School
• Clarendon Vale Primary Schools
• Westerway Primary School
• Geeveston Primary School
• Risdon Vale Primary School
• East Derwent Primary School
• East Tamar Primary School
• Ravenswood Heights Primary School
• Port Dalrymple School
• East Devonport Primary School
• Hillcrest Primary School
• Zeehan Primary School

The remaining 58 schools to deliver LIFT will be announced later this year.

Since announcing this initiative in the State Budget a LIFT Project Officer has been appointed and has been developing an overview for the initiative. This will now be used in the development of LIFT Framework, which will be done in consultation with a reference group of key stakeholders and will build on the experience of our teachers in readiness for 2016.

The Framework will align with the Australian Curriculum and allow for the flexibility required to meet the needs of individual schools.

The program will be delivered across multiple platforms, to support parents and students, and will include planned events, activities and other learning opportunities that encourage and support family engagement and improved learning outcomes.

This Government is committed to lifting the educational outcomes for young Tasmanians. We firmly believe that education gives Tasmanians the very best chance of getting a good job and living a fulfilling life.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training