Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)

Grants for WA schools to promote and advance reconciliation.

The Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) program encourages WA schools to develop projects promoting and advancing reconciliation in their local community. By supporting projects that enhance the education and understanding of Aboriginal cultures, achievements and histories in the classroom, we gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and diversity of Aboriginal people, which is key to recognising our shared histories and unified futures. The PALS program objectives are:

Partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.
Acceptance of and respect for diversity and valuing Aboriginal perspectives.
Learning more about each other, Aboriginal histories, languages and cultures; and how we can build strong partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Sharing a common journey towards healing and reconciliation.

Reconciliation

PALS projects must focus on reconciliation and align with one or more of our six categories. In addition, an in class learning component is mandatory and must feature with your grant.

Eligibility

Applications are open to Western Australian:

kindergartens funded by the Department of Education.
all WA primary and secondary schools – inclusive of public schools directly funded by the Department of Education and Catholic and Independent schools which are independently supported.

Schools with and without Aboriginal students are encouraged to apply for PALS funding.

Important dates

Round	Open	Close	Project start date	Project end date
Term 3 2024	9:00am 25 July (week 2 term 3) 2024	4:00pm 5 September (week 8 term 3) 2024	21 October (week 3 term 4) 2024	24 October (week 2 term 4) 2025
Term 4 2024	9:00am 15 October (week 2 term 4) 2024	4:00pm 28 November (week 8 term 4) 2024	17 February (week 3 term 1) 2025	3 February (week 2 term 1) 2026
Term 1 2025	9:00am 11 February (week 2 term 1) 2025	4:00pm 27 March (week 8 term 1) 2025	12 May (week 3 term 2) 2025	1 May (week 2 term 2) 2026
Term 2 2025	9:00am 6 May (week 2 term 2) 2025	4:00pm 19 June (week 8 term 2) 2025	4 August (week 3 term 3) 2025	31 July (week 2 term 3) 2026

Funding overview

Funding open

Who can apply

WA Primary schools
WA Secondary schools
WA kindergartens funded by the Department of Education

Amount available

Up to $5000

Guidelines

You must read the guidelines before submitting an application as they provide essential information.

Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) guidelines

Submit an application

Funding categories

Category	Objectives	What you can apply for
Arts	Embracing traditional and contemporary Aboriginal art by exploring visual and performing art forms; engaging with Aboriginal people to share traditional knowledge, to learn and practice these art forms and to understand the role of art as a means of story-telling in Aboriginal culture.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Community Relationships	Building collaborative, trusting and respectful relationships with Aboriginal students, families and communities; developing and maintaining sustainable partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people across the entire school community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Connecting to Country and Culture	Exploring the strong spiritual connection between Aboriginal people and Country including the importance of land, caring for country and using natural resources in a sustainable manner; spending time on country; and learning about the historical and cultural significance of the school’s local area.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
History	Increasing staff and students’ knowledge of Aboriginal histories and cultures, including understanding significant Aboriginal people, places or events; exploring the impacts of colonisation; understanding how historical events are relevant in a contemporary context in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Inclusive Environments	Creating learning environments that respect the cultures, languages and experiences of Aboriginal people; creating a physical space that enables students to learn in settings that are connected to local histories, cultures and languages; establishing initiatives and approaches that support the physical health and social and emotional wellbeing of students.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.
Language	Increasing awareness and appreciation of local Aboriginal languages by exploring culture through storytelling, contemporary literature and written and visual resources; collaborating with local Aboriginal families and communities to appreciate the diversity and importance of Aboriginal languages within the school and broader community.	Projects can vary and range from producing Aboriginal art murals, bush tucker gardens, running NAIDOC Week events or fostering relationships between students and Aboriginal Elders through school incursions and excursions.

Guidelines and resources

Please refer to the following documents for more information before applying

PALS program guidelines

PALS Project Toolkit

The PALS Project Toolkit is designed to assist you with planning and developing your project. It provides:

an overview of the six funding categories
ideas for possible projects
past examples of successful projects
a list of recommended resources.

PALS Project Toolkit

PALS Project Toolkit: Connecting to Curriculum

This document is an information resource that provides you with examples of different aspects of the Western Australian Curriculum that align with the six PALS project categories from pre-primary to year 10. It also provides specific examples under each code on how to connect the code to the teaching and learning of Aboriginal histories and cultures.

PALS Project Curriculum (pdf) 1700 KB