Our sister schools

Sister schools provide a wide range of opportunities for all involved. Students, teachers, administrators, parents and communities all stand to benefit from international links.

Preparing students in Victoria, Australia for active interaction in an interdependent, globalised world, providing them with 21st century skills so that they can think critically, embrace technology and value diversity is a priority of the Victorian government.

The Victorian Government is committed to enhancing international education experiences for Victorian school educators and students.

One way of achieving this aim is by encouraging more schools to form sister school relationships to ensure that internationalising education becomes a reality in policy and practice.

International partnerships develop cultural awareness and sensitivity and an appreciation of a different way of life. Networks are established and new perspectives developed. Sister schools encourage a global outlook on life and have the flow-on effect of internationalising the ethos of the whole school community.

Intercultural exchanges encourage greater competency and confidence in language learning and communication skills. Information communication and technology skills are also enhanced as students interact through wikis, blogs and skype.

Sister schools illustrate the concept of global interconnectedness in a tangible way. By incorporating collaborative learning activities, partnerships encourage students to locate and explore common ground and bring about a unique intercultural element to collaborative learning activities. Students also develop cross-cultural communication and diplomacy skills, a deeper understanding of international issues and a respect for differences in other cultures.

The Department encourages the development of sister school relationships between schools in Victoria and overseas. The International Education Division facilitates and registers these relationships.

For further information, please download and review the Sister School Partnership Guidelines (doc) (0.05 mb)