Each year, Bank First funds new ideas, programs and methods of teaching that support enhanced student learning outcomes in Victorian schools.
By applying and receiving votes, education-related initiatives have a chance of receiving a share of $30,000 in funding. The amount granted depends on the needs of each initiative, and grants have previously ranged from $200 – $2,000.
In 2022, the program recipients got a little bit sweeter. One of the winning applications came from The Urban Bees initiative, which aims to bring sustainable beekeeping practices to inner-city Melbourne. The project is led by a cohort of Deaf students.
Through Urban Bees, students will have the opportunity to establish and maintain a beehive in a culturally supportive environment. They are responsible for bee care and maintenance, and will harvest honey to be given to the student-led social enterprise, Tradeblock Cafe. Additionally, they will engage the wider community by providing online bee content and onsite beekeeping workshops.
The Victorian students were driven to establish the Urban Bees initiative due to their deep passion for sustainable farming practices and the production of fresh, local and healthy food options for our school community.
Bank First has been supporting innovative teaching ideas and programs at the grassroots of education with their Teaching Initiatives Program since 1993. Bank First recently released the recipients for the 2022 round of funding.