Victoria University is proud to be a key partner in the Footscray Learning Precinct (FLP).

The Precinct is an ambitious program offering an integrated framework for education – from kindergarten through to university. Located in Melbourne’s inner west, it is Australia’s largest education hub.

Planning for the Precinct commenced in 2015. Since then, new campuses and facilities have been built to complement existing learning spaces; these opened in 2020. In tandem, a shared learning framework was developed for the Precinct schools.

VU in the Community: Footscray Learning Precinct - Transcript

Watch us create a mural

Victoria University’s key role

The Footscray Learning Precinct shares data to inform teaching and learning across all stages of education to best cater for individual learning needs. This integrated approach enables increased teacher collaboration across schools, and joint use of facilities by schools and the University.

Learning framework

The shared learning framework for the new Precinct was developed with input from Mitchell Institute’s Professorial Fellows Yong Zhao and Bill Lucas, local school principals and teachers, students, community groups, and Maribyrnong City Council.

Shared facilities

University specialist learning and sporting facilities are shared with local schools.

Community STEAM

A community STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) learning program has been established in Precinct schools. Students use design thinking to lead projects to provide solutions to real-world, local problems in collaboration with teachers and community members in one of three themes: Sustainability, Wellbeing or Social Justice.

Elevating STEAM across the Precinct, VU works with its AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program to provide development opportunities to school teachers. A film production shows the new learning approach in which student lead projects.

Opportunities for learning have also been created in our local community.

Group of school student in uniform paint a mural

Embedding First Nations perspectives across the curriculum

VU's Moondani Balluk Aboriginal education unit works with local schools to bring an Indigenous perspective to learning with such programs as:

  • urban SWIRL to embed Indigenous standpoints in their semester long Community STEAM program
  • the installation of the Protecting Country Garden.

In the news

Local students help paint Footscray

Footscray City Primary School received a fresh lick of paint when students joined renowned artists, Heesco and Chuck Mayfield, to paint a large 40 metre wide by 10 metre high mural on the back wall of the school’s gym.

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Group of women and men smiling at the camera, with student art in the background

Embedding Indigenous perspectives in high school education

Story Writing in Remote Locations (SWIRL) sees VU pre-service teachers in schools in the Northern Territory. During Covid the program was reimagined.

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Vice Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and VU Student Tahnee Towers plant the first tree.

Sustainable VU: In the news

Read all news related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at VU

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