LBB Forum 2024
Across Victoria, CMY’s Learning Beyond the Bell team supports over 365 Learning Support Programs. These programs provide high quality tuition and learning support to children and young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and their families. They also assist families to better support their children’s learning at home.
CMY’s Learning Beyond the Bell (LBB) team provides a range of supports to ensure high quality Learning Support Programs, including consultations and advice, networking and information sharing, training and events, and resources.
As part of LBB’s suite of free training and events to build the capability of the sector, the annual LBB Forum was held online on Tuesday 4 June 2024. The event offered program volunteers and coordinators an opportunity to gain insights from diverse speakers, network with fellow educators and share professional knowledge.
Sessions included a keynote address by Dr Bonita Cabiles, a Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, The University of Melbourne, highlighting the importance of relationships in the learning community. Sumaia Abdullahi gave an inspiring opening speech, drawing on her experience as a member of the Young Leaders program at the Southern Migrant & Refugee Centre.
A workshop on grant-writing included presentations from the Department of Education and the Reid Malley Foundation, along with a Q&A, highlighting effective grant-writing strategies and insights into relevant funding bodies.
In a panel discussion on ‘Collaborating for Stability and Sustainability’, experienced program coordinators discussed diverse strategies to enhance program sustainability through innovative partnership approaches.
Finally, an interactive workshop delivered by teachers at Project REAL, part of Banksia Gardens Community Services, provided practical tools to address student disengagement through embedding social and emotional learning and building meaningful, safe relationships with young people.
Feedback from attendees was positive. Some of the comments we received from attendees about the event include:
‘Learning about funding and partnerships was really valuable. It was great having insight from people on the ground who are grappling with these issues and to hear examples. They really seemed to understand the challenges. Networking was also really valuable.’ – Attendee
‘Every topic & presentation provided really useful, relevant and informative knowledge and advice.’ – Attendee
‘Great to hear from a range of experienced professionals in the sector. Loved the opener of hearing how important Sumaia’s homework club was for her.’ – Attendee
If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s forum, recordings from each session will be available on the LBB Hub soon. The LBB Hub is where coordinators and volunteers can find a wide range of relevant resources, training, content and community.
Visit the LBB Hub or learn more about the support CMY provides to Learning Support Programs here.