The Collective
A growing collective of third sector organisations who support low-SES school communities
working collaboratively and systemically to improve education equity.
Our Shared Narrative
We are coming together because the inequity in Victoria's education system is growing. Our most vulnerable children and young people are not consistently receiving the experiences and opportunities they need to succeed. And our schools face immense pressure with fragmented support. ​
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Members have decided to work collaboratively, courageously and strategically – and in partnership with students and teachers.  We want to align our efforts by collaboratively developing solutions, trialling new partnership models and advocating for systemic change. ​
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Ultimately, we aim to take meaningful and impactful steps towards a more equitable education system where all students and teachers are empowered to thrive.​
Our Members
Our Key Objectives
To build our capacity to work collectively and systemically
To work in partnership with students and teachers from low-SES school communities, including drawing upon their lived experience
To work collaboratively to action key priorities (leverage points) for systemic change
To share our learnings to drive systemic change across the sector
Our Current Priorities
Through collaborative system mapping with students and teachers, our members have identified these 3 initial priorities:
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Establishing a shared vision for what an equitable education system looks like in practice
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Strengthening the coordination of supports for low-SES school communities
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Enabling the conditions for strong student-teacher relationships across low-SES school communities
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Members are pursuing these priorities through Action Learning Groups which commenced in July 2025.
Our Key Activities
Establishing shared priorities to address systemic barriers to education equity
Establishing a Leadership Council of students, teachers and member representatives
Facilitating action learning groups and other project-based work (e.g. mapping third sector provision of school supports)
Sharing key learnings with the wider education sector, including an Annual Gathering
Collaborating with the Department of Education and other peak education stakeholders
Our Leadership Council
The Collective has an innovative, intergenerational Leadership Council bringing together students/young people, teachers/school leaders and member organisations to ensure lived experience is at the centre of our work.
The Leadership Council will:
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Drive the priorities of the The Collective
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Input into The Collective's activities
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Lead The Collective's advocacy​
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