Family Learning Network Research Group (FLN)

The Family Learning Project was established by the Northern Area Community Youth Services (NACYS) Inc., Elizabeth Downs Primary School, Elizabeth Park Primary School and Elizabeth East Primary School. The project is designed to promote primary school students' academic achievement by improving service coordination and implementing advocacy and community development strategies to address the social and environmental factors that impact negatively on the well-being of families. Within the Centre for the Analysis of Educational Futures, a team of researchers have come together to conduct an evaluation of the project's first year of implementation.

This project represents a partnership between Flinders University and the Family Learning Network and it is anticipated that this evaluation will lay the ground work for future research initiatives with the Family Learning Network who have indicated their strong interest in a collaborative long-term project.

The team includes:

The 2010 Report: The impact of a school-community partnership on its stakeholders: Preliminary report

FLN 2010 Preliminary Report (PDF 250KB)

This preliminary report offers an insight into the functioning of the FLN and its impact on children and families. There was a high degree of consistency in the views expressed by stakeholders about the benefits of the FLN and the challenges it faces. This research was made possible via a Flinders University ‘Flinders Research Grant’. Members of the team who contributed to the research were Judith Peppard, Julie McMillan, Diana Miller & Phillip Slee, School of Education, Flinders University.

At the launch of the 2008 report...

FLN Final Report 19-5 (PDF 858KB)

The launch of The Family Learning Network: An Evaluation took place at Elizabeth Downs Primary School on Tuesday 1st July 2008.

Above photo from left to right: Peter Dunstan (Principal, Elizabeth Downs PS), Patrick Moran (Principal, Elizabeth Park PS) and David Jones (Principal, Elizabeth East PS).

Joining the Family Learning Network, students from the three primary schools and the research team from Flinders University were: Brendyn Semmens (District Director, DECS), Greg Cox (Policy Advisor Student Behaviour Management, Office of Early Childhood and Statewide Services), Mayor Martin Lindsell (City of Playford), Francis Bedford (Member for Florey) and Nick Champion (Member for Wakefield).

Clare Dilliway, Chief Executive of the Northern Area Community & Youth Services Inc which is also a partner in the Family Learning Network, was unable to attend the launch.

The Whole Team

Above photo from left to right:
David Jones (Principal, Elizabeth East PS), Polly Holmes (Research Development Officer, Flinders University), Felicity-Ann Lewis (Senior Lecturer, Flinders University), Patrick Moran (Principal, Elizabeth Park PS), Judy Peppard (Senior Lecturer, Flinders University), Carolyn Palmer (Associate Professor, Flinders University), Peter Dunstan (Principal, Elizabeth Downs PS) and Julie McMillan (Senior Lecturer, Flinders University).

Local input may lift school outcomes

The findings of The Family Learning Network: An Evaluation were reported on in the research section (p. 4) of the July edition of The Flinders Journal. Click here to view this article.