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.

Acquittals

PALS 2021 Project Acquittals can now be submitted via the online portal until 31 December 2021. Any outstanding PALS 2020 Project Acquittals can still be submitted via this portal also.

Acquit your PALS Project online

How to submit an acquittal

Download the PALS quick reference guide on how to submit a PALS Acquittal.

PALS Acquittal Guide (pdf) 1711 KB

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

Closed

Who can apply

Amount available

$1000 towards one or more of the funding categories

Submit an application

Guidelines and resources

Please refer to the following documents for more information before applying

PALS Project Toolkit

The PALS Project Toolkit is designed to assist you with planning and developing your project. It provides:

an overview of the six funding categories
ideas for possible projects
past examples of successful projects
a list of recommended resources.

PALS Project Toolkit

PALS Project Toolkit: Connecting to Curriculum

This document is an information resource that provides you with examples of different aspects of the Western Australian Curriculum that align with the six PALS project categories from pre-primary to year 10. It also provides specific examples under each code on how to connect the code to the teaching and learning of Aboriginal histories and cultures.

PALS Project Curriculum (pdf) 1836 KB

PALS Project: Planning Sheet

This document will assist you in planning your project.

PALS Planning Sheet (pdf) 1800 KB

Funding rounds

Round	Open	Draft review	Close	Project start/event dates	Category
2021	9:00am 20 January 2021	Not applicable	4:00pm 7 May 2021	Terms 2 and 3	Arts Community Relationships Connecting to Country and Culture History Inclusive Environments Language

*Application deadline has been extended to 7 May 2021.

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.