Developing global competence is vital for both individuals and communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Schools play a crucial role in helping students to develop global competencies through a range of international initiatives, including sister school relationships.
A sister school relationship involves the formalised pairing of 2 school communities for the purpose of mutually beneficial collaboration on a range of educational activities.
Program details
Sister school partnerships are grounded in respect; open communication; and a shared, sustained commitment to global learning. They are flexible and responsive to the unique needs and common goals of each school. Effective partnerships can impact multiple areas of school education, including student learning; teacher capability; curriculum development, especially in language and intercultural understanding; whole school improvement; and broader community engagement.
Sister school relationships provide the opportunity to:
- deepen cultural understanding, enrich curriculum experiences and support ongoing professional growth
- develop intercultural communication skills among students and staff
- enable students to explore new cultures, engage with diverse learning environments and build the qualities needed to become globally competent citizens
- participate in a range of collaborative activities such as student and staff exchanges, joint projects, cultural sharing and shared learning experiences.
Establishing a sister school partnership
All Queensland state schools are eligible to apply for sister school partnerships.
If your school:
- is considering a sister school partnership but is not sure where to begin
- has a partner school in mind but is looking for advice on next steps to formalise the arrangement
- has any questions to support your decision-making process around entering a partnership
- would like support with resources to help build and maintain a successful sister school relationship.
Please email the Global Engagement team at
SisterSchools.GE@qed.qld.gov.au.
Please note that while formalised, sister school partnerships are non-commercial and not legally binding; however, schools must follow a set of specific procedures to ensure compliance with the Australian Government's
Foreign Arrangements Scheme (the Scheme). It’s important to allow adequate time for this, as there are several internal departmental and external steps in the approval process.
Entering an agreement and the Foreign Arrangements Scheme
The Scheme commenced on 10 December 2020. Its purpose is to ensure that arrangements between state or territory governments (and their entities) and foreign entities do not adversely affect Australia's foreign relations and are not inconsistent with Australia's foreign policy.
Before considering entering into any form of written arrangement with a foreign government entity or renewing a current arrangement, all Queensland state schools must comply with the requirements of the Australian Government's Foreign Arrangements Scheme—Commonwealth notifications and approvals procedure.
The Scheme provides for states and territories and their entities (state schools) to notify or seek approval from the Minister for Foreign Affairs if they propose to negotiate, or enter, or have entered a foreign arrangement. It creates obligations in respect of both future arrangements and existing arrangements. Queensland state schools are required to notify the Minister for Foreign Affairs if they are currently in, entering or renewing a sister school arrangement.
If your school is considering entering into a sister school agreement, or any other form of written arrangement with a foreign government entity, you must seek advice from the Global Engagement team at
SisterSchools.GE@qed.qld.gov.au before entering into formal negotiations or signing anything.