Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)

Grants for WA schools to promote and advance reconciliation

Funding assistance of $1000 is available for your school to complete a PALS project. PALS projects are varied, and your school may already be involved with initiatives that are eligible for PALS funding. PALS funding is available to all WA primary and secondary schools and encourages schools with and without Aboriginal students to participate.

PALS is an initiative of the department which encourages WA schools to develop projects that promote reconciliation in their local community. PALS is based on the core attributes of:

Partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.
Acceptance of and respect for diversity and valuing Aboriginal perspectives.
Learning more about each other, Aboriginal histories, languages and cultures; and how we can build strong partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Sharing a common journey towards healing and reconciliation.

Eligibility

All WA primary and secondary schools.

The PALS funding round for 2020 is now open

All funded projects must be acquitted in October by submitting the completed project. The projects will then be judged as part of the annual PALS Awards process.

Each year awards are offered to outstanding PALS projects in each category and are presented at a PALS awards ceremony, including an overall winner.

Reconciliation

PALS projects must focus on reconciliation and align with one or more of our six categories. In addition, an in class learning component is mandatory and must feature with your grant.

Funding overview

Open

Who can apply

Amount available

$1000 towards one or more of the funding categories

Submit an application

Funding rounds

Round	Open	Draft review	Close	Project start/event dates	Category
2020	12:00 AM 17 Feb 2020	Not applicable	11:59 PM 9 Apr 2020	Terms 2 and 3	Arts Community Relationships Connecting to Country and Culture History Inclusive Environments Language

Funding categories

Category	Amount	Objectives	What you can apply for
Arts	$1000	Embracing traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art by exploring visual and performing art forms; engaging with Aboriginal people to share traditional knowledge, to learn and practice these art forms and to understand the role of art as a means of story-telling in Aboriginal culture.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Community Relationships	$1000	Building collaborative, trusting and respectful relationships with Aboriginal students, families and communities; developing and maintaining sustainable partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people across the entire school community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Connecting to Country and Culture	$1000	Exploring the strong spiritual connection between Aboriginal people and Country including the importance of land, caring for country and using natural resources in a sustainable manner; spending time on country; and learning about the historical and cultural significance of the school’s local area.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
History	$1000	Increasing staff and students’ knowledge of Aboriginal histories and cultures, including understanding significant Aboriginal people, places or events; exploring the impacts of colonisation; understanding how historical events are relevant in a contemporary context in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Inclusive Environments	$1000	Creating learning environments that respect the cultures, languages and experiences of Aboriginal people; creating a physical space that enables students to learn in settings that are connected to local histories, cultures and languages; establishing initiatives and approaches that support the physical health and social and emotional wellbeing of students.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Language	$1000	Increasing awareness and appreciation of local Aboriginal languages by exploring culture through storytelling, contemporary literature and written and visual resources; collaborating with local Aboriginal families and communities to appreciate the diversity and importance of Aboriginal languages within the school and broader community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.

PALS Awards Ceremony

Each year PALS projects are judged by a panel of judges in October. Afterwards a PALS Awards Ceremony is held in November to celebrate schools that have excelled with their projects in building reconciliation and establishing long lasting relationships with their local community members. This is a prestigious awards ceremony in which the Honourable Ben Wyatt MLA, Treasurer; Minister for Finance; Aboriginal Affairs; Lands attends as well as other members of parliament. More information surrounding the PALS Awards Ceremony will come out later this year.