The School of Education has formed an on-going research relationship with a group of DECS schools in the southern suburbs of Adelaide. The relationship evolved out of contacts with schools and has recently developed into a productive partnership that has been driven in large part by the schools themselves. The innovative element in this partnership is the focus on research that addresses the needs of each of the schools.

School staff and Flinders' researchers meet regularly to discuss aspects of the research process, such as the design of research instruments and feedback of results. In addition, regular meetings have been convened where representatives from all school sites and central and regional office personnel have met to share and disseminate research plans and findings.

Staff and postgraduate students currently involved in the group

• Dr Helen Askell-Williams
• Dr Paddy O'Toole
• Carolyn Gregoric
• Associate Professor Larry Owens
• Dr Kelvin Gregory
• Professor Phillip Slee
• Professor Mike Lawson
• Mirella Wyra
• Professor Rosalind Murray-Harvey

Current Partners in the Southern Schools Project Group:

• DECS Central Office: Greg Cox
• DECS Wallara District Office: Greg Dyer
• Lorraine Smelter

Schools Reference group:

• Susan Hyde, Blackwood High School
• Sonya Johincke, Blackwood High School
• Sharon Rush, Aberfoyle Park High School
• Jenny Jones, Aberfoyle Park High School
• Paul Wilson, Christies Beach High School
• Chris Leech, Christies Beach High School
• Lana Dubrowsky, Flagstaff Schools

The current research focus of the group is the Wellbeing of School Communities project funded by the Australian Research Council across 2007-2009.