Live, learn, explore IndiaFact SheetWhat is the Victorian Young Leaders to India pilot program?The Victorian Young Leaders to India (VYL India) pilot program offers a life-changing three-week immersion program for 80 Year 9 students and accompanying teachers over two years in 2019 and 2020. The program will see students spend time in schools in India and explore different aspects of India's diversity.

Program ObjectivesThe program will: build students' intercultural understanding and ability to effectively engage with people from other

cultures including through the development of personal relationships with their Indian peers develop students' citizenship and leadership capabilities, including through exploration of

community engagement and social enterprise projects in India.

develop students' engagement in STEM by providing exposure to international education and career pathways in STEM and with leading industries in India.

What is the VYL India Program?The VYL India pilot program is facilitated by the Department of Education and Training (the Department). It brings together students and teachers from selected Victorian schools to participate in the program, made up of three phases: pre-departure phase, which prepares students and accompanying teachers for the

program. This phase focuses on building country-specific knowledge about India, developing intercultural capability, managing cultural adjustment and student welfare, and setting expectations for the overseas cultural immersion component

three-week in-country immersion program, which includes being hosted by a local school in India, developing friendships with Indian peers (including student buddies), undertaking a range of excursions exploring Indian history and culture, and visiting organisations innovating in STEM and community engagement

post-program phase, which provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and successes of participating students and teachers, facilitates reflection and sharing of learning to sustain the skills developed, promotes the program to other students and teachers, and supports continued engagement with India.

Applications from schools for the 2020 Victorian Young Leaders to India pilot program (travelling in September 2020) are now open and will close on Friday 8 November 2019.Program CostsThe VYL India pilot program is funded through a co-contribution model, with parents contributing $3,000 per student and the Department funding the balance of the core program costs*. To reduce the effect of disadvantage, over a third of places will be fully-funded by the Department for students whose parent / guardian holds a current healthcare or pensioner concession card naming the student.

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The Department will fund core program costs for the accompanying teacher. Schools will fund teacher replacement costs and contingency funds for medical or daily expenses in-country.

Any incidental costs (e.g. passports and spending money) are the responsibility of the participating students and their parents/guardians.

Core program costs include: pre-departure and post program phases travel arrangements, including return airfares, visas and insurance tuition, accommodation, meals, excursions in India student uniform and curriculum materials.

Schools are responsible for collecting the $3,000 co-contribution from parents/students, to be paid to the Department (or their representative) for program delivery.Program Eligibility students enrolling in Year 9 in 2020 one teacher to accompany up to seven students from each school.

School Selection CriteriaDemonstrated school commitment to supporting: a sustained, whole school approach to global learning and engagement, particularly addressing

key VYL India Program Objectives participating students and the accompanying teacher to participate in the program sharing and sustaining VYL India Program Objectives for participating students, accompanying

teachers, other students and teachers, and the broader community to promote the benefits of VYL India pilot program.

Preference will be given to schools: who work together in regional clusters, with schools needing to outline which schools are involved

and how the cluster will operate. Department Regional Offices will play a role in the selection process.

who are willing to support a reciprocal arrangement with an Indian school, either individually or as part of a cluster.

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School Roles and ResponsibilitiesBy participating in the VYL India, schools must commit to recruiting and selecting students and teachers in line with established criteria and protocols below: advocate and promote the VYL India pilot program within the school and the wider community appoint a VYL India School Liaison to act as the first point of reference on administrative matters

for parents/guardians of students selected in the program and the Department (or their representative)

fund CRT costs associated with replacing the accompanying teacher (for the three-week immersion program and 2–3 full day pre-departure briefings) and provide contingency funds for medical or daily expenses in-country

provide administrative support to the program to ensure all information requests are met in a timely manner

provide comprehensive medical and special dietary needs information of all participating students and accompanying teachers to the Department (or their representative)

provide other information as requested to ensure the smooth running of the program integrate the VYL India pilot program into the curriculum offerings for participating students and

teachers as well as other students and teachers at the school make arrangements at the school level so that students and their accompanying teachers will be

able to participate in all program elements including: pre-departure phase; the three-week immersion component in India; post return phase; and professional learning and development components for teachers, and that accompanying teachers are able to attend 2–3 full day pre-departure teacher briefings

make arrangements at the school level so that the school Principal can participate in required briefings

ensure appropriate system level travel approvals have been obtained. For government schools, this will include having Regional Director approval through the online Department School Staff Travel Approvals process

ensure the school Principal, or delegate, is available during the in-country component to act as an emergency contact for students, their parents/guardians and accompanying teachers

ensure the school Principal, or their delegate, regularly communicates with accompanying teachers whilst they are in India

commit to sharing and sustaining the benefits gained from participating in the program throughout the school and the wider community.

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Key Dates

2020 VYL India Pilot Program

School applications open 1 August 2019

School applications close 8 November 2019

Successful schools notified Term 1, 2020

Principal briefing date Term 1, 2020

Teacher and student selection March-April 2020

Teacher workshop (2-3 days) June 2020

Pre-departure phase March-August 2020

Three weeks in-country September 2020

Post-program phase October-November 2020

How to complete and submit application:Applications are to be completed electronically by schools and submitted to: vyl.india@edumail.vic.gov.au

Any supporting documentation needs to be submitted as a PDF. Other formats will not be accepted.

For further information, visit: www.study. vic.gov.au/en/global-learning-programs/young- leaders-to-india/Pages/default.aspxPlease email your enquiries to: vyl.india@edumail.vic.gov.au

OFFICE USE ONLYDate received:

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School Application Form

School name:

Mailing address:

Principal’s name:

Principal’s telephone: Mobile:

Principal’s email:

Nominated VYL India Liaison Person: _________________________________________________

Liaison’s contact telephone: __________________________Mobile: ________________________

Liaison’s email: __________________________________________________________________

School Selection CriteriaPlease respond to the following questions (up to 500 words per response)

1. Provide evidence and examples of your school’s commitment to supporting a sustained, whole school approach to global learning and engagement, including addressing the key VYL India Program objectives.

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2. Outline how your school will support participating students and the accompanying teacher to participate in the program.

3. Outline how your school will support sharing and sustaining VYL India Program Objectives for participating students, accompanying teachers, other students and teachers, and the broader community in your region. Please include consideration for professional learning for accompanying teachers.

4. Preference will be given to schools who work together in regional clusters. If you are part of or forming a cluster in your region, please outline which schools are involved and how the cluster will operate.

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5. Preference will be given to schools who are willing to support a reciprocal arrangement with an Indian school, either individually or as part of a cluster. Please outline how your school would support this arrangement.

Principal StatementI confirm that our school will select up to seven 2020 Year 9 students who successfully meet the eligibility criteria (listed above) and the following selection criteria:1. willingness and capability to undertake all activities to meet the VYL India Program Objectives 2. demonstrated interest in deepening intercultural understanding, global citizenship and leadership

skills3. demonstrated interest in learning about and engaging with other cultures4. willingness and capability to share and communicate their learning from the program with other

students and their community5. demonstrated involvement in and commitment to school and community activities and

achievement 6. demonstrated readiness and suitability for the program (as confirmed and endorsed by their

Homeroom Teacher or Year Level Coordinator and school Principal).

I confirm that our school will select one teacher/school leader who successfully meets the following selection criteria to accompany the students:

1. outstanding ability to supervise Year 9 students and take care of their diverse needs 2. outstanding personal qualities which enable teachers to represent Victoria and their school in an

international setting including intercultural sensitivities, a genuine interest in India and the ability to undertake public speaking engagements as required, including participating in media events

3. demonstrated experience in organising and leading student activities, camps and excursions, including international excursions

4. ability to work as part of a team whilst in India to ensure all program objectives are met5. ability to undertake and commit to professional learning and development opportunities in India to

strengthen professional practice.

Principal’s signature: _________________________________ Date: ________________

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