Clusters

Clustering is a staple in rural education in Victoria and CEP have a long-standing affiliation with supporting clusters to be established, grow and thrive.

If you have an interest in discussing CEPs work in the cluster area and how we can support you please make contact:

Cluster Team Leader: Shane Mathison
Phone: 0418531906
Email: shane@cep.org.au

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What is clustering?

CEP supports a school clustering model where multiple rural schools collaborate to explore ways to maximise the benefits and opportunities of their unique environment while exploring the solutions to the challenges they share. The schools maintain their individual identities and autonomy while being able to work collaboratively with other schools.

Clusters can vary in their goals, numbers of schools, operation style, types of work undertaken and levels of collaboration.

A key advantage of clustering is that each group of schools has the flexibility to assess their unique needs and develop tailored solutions. Schools within a cluster can coordinate efforts in many areas such as administration, staff sharing and/or development,resource sharing, and student programs while retaining local control over decisions.

By working together while maintaining autonomy, schools can maximise efficiency, reduce costs, provide opportunities for Professional dialogue and development and expand educational opportunities. Clustering fosters collaboration, improves student outcomes, and ensures that rural schools remain sustainable.

Why cluster

Clustering provides many opportunities including

  • Sharing– Schools can pool resources like libraries, sports facilities, and specialised equipment, reducing costs and improving access. Open access to educational information between schools.
  • Local solutions for local issues – Schools clustering together have the ability to recognise and collaboratively solve local issues.
  • Collaborative Learning – Teachers and students can collaborate across schools, sharing best practices, innovative teaching methods, and student projects.
  • Professional Development – Teachers benefit from shared training sessions, workshops, PLC delivery and mentorship programs, leading to improved teaching quality.
  • Stronger Community Ties – Schools in a cluster can work together to engage with local communities, businesses, and organisations for support and enrichment programs.
  • Extracurricular Opportunities – Students have access to a wider range of sports, arts, clubs, and competitions when schools combine efforts.
  • Cost Efficiency – Joint procurement of supplies, technology, and services can lead to significant financial savings.
  • Curriculum development, delivery and scope – Collaboration on curriculum development, delivery of aspects of curriculum in a cluster setting.
  • Student wellbeing – Increased opportunities for socialisation with same age students, schools can jointly fund and manage counselors, special education services, and mental health programs to better support students.
  • Improved Academic Performance – Collaboration fosters a culture of excellence, where schools learn from each other and raise overall student achievement.
  • Greater Flexibility in Staffing – Schools can share teachers and staff for subjects that may not be viable in a single school
  • Administrative Support – Collaborative policy development, streamlined curriculum documentation, and shared best practices for efficient school management.
  • Principal / Leadership networks: Increase Principal level support by having regular, structured connections to other Principals.

How CEP can help

  • Attendance at cluster meetings, supporting to way flow of information between cluster and CEP – sharing of ideas, potential initiatives developed through work with other clusters.
  • Administrative support in the organisation and running of the cluster.
  • Advocacy for clusters Government level and with relevant education institutions.
  • Creation of a Cluster Development Plan (Memorandum of Understanding) to ensure a clear, agreed and effective approach to clustering.
  • Provide support to implement cluster initiatives, with a particular focus on staff development and collaboration and whole cluster approaches.
  • Trouble shooting – Provide external assistance to lead a process to overcome barriers to cluster success.

CEP Documents

Cluster Snapshots

P-12 Alliance

A unique cluster that comes together not based around geographical location but school type.

The alliance provides an opportunity for all P12 schools to have a group that is functioning to provide opportunities for them to connect with like schools to share ideas, receive support while developing important relationships to further develop their skills and knowledge in this unique and valuable education environment.

The P12 Alliance also creates a unified voice that is able to represent their unique situation.

Barwon Area Small Schools (BASS)

Aireys Inlet PS, Alvie PS, Anakie PS, Beeac PS, Birregurra PS, Carlisle PS, Deans Marsh PS, Forrest PS, Lavers Hill K12, Lorne P12.

After developing in the Colac area and existing in different Cluster guises in 2023 10 schools from across the Barwon area amalgamated to create the BASS cluster.

Through their vision of: Working in collaboration with all cluster schools to maximise and develop the skills, knowledge and resources of our staff to enable our students to have the greatest opportunity for success.’ the BASS cluster is establishing a proactive, positive approach to collaboration.

Recently the BASS cluster worked closely with CEP to secure over $150,000 in funding to deliver a whole cluster approach to the initiative “Responsive Teaching in Primary Mathematics”. An exciting prospect that will roll out over the next three years.

Central Wimmera

Marnoo PS, Minyip PS, Murtoa F12, Our Lady Help of Christians, Rupanyup PS, St Marys PS, Warracknabeal PS, Warracknabeal Special Developmental School.

Originating in the 1980s, this long running cluster has been known as the Dessert Fringe cluster, Dunmunkle and now the Central Wimmera Cluster. Depending on need a range of schools have been a part of this welcoming cluster including schools from Rainbow, Hopeton, Bealuah, and Sea Lake.

Previously there has been a strong focus on resource sharing through initiatives such as trailers for gymnastic, science, canoe, bike and camping equipment.

Now student experience and opportunity is a driving factor seeing many excursions, camps and visitors being ran across the cluster.

Strategic use of funding sees the employment of a staff member to run specific aspects of the cluster, particularly in the area of administration and organisation of events.

Mt Napier – Tappoc

Branxholme Wallacedale PS, Macarthur PS, Penshurst PS

2023 saw this group of 3 schools look to establish a cluster to support the best outcomes for its staff and students.

Although a newer cluster, the schools have a great range of opportunities in a full calendar of events for their students sharing camps, student cluster days, sports and excursions.

Opportunities for growth and development are coming in what is an exciting time for the cluster.