Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement

An ambitious place-based initiative established to respond to the concerning levels of early school disengagement in our local community. NCESE partners work closely to improve engagement, with a special focus on our most vulnerable students.

About NCESE

The Northern Centre for Excellence in School Engagement (NCESE) is a formal collective aimed at building capacity to develop and implement school and community programs that support school engagement for all, including (and especially) our most vulnerable students.

The NCESE was established in 2020, as a formal collaborative network of 16 primary schools, one secondary school, the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), and Banksia Gardens Community Services (BGCS) – which acts as the NCESE ‘backbone’ organisation.

The NCESE includes Project REAL – a small, flexible-learning school run by BGCS for locally referred students with complex needs and significant barriers to learning. Project REAL has been in operation since 2017, and works closely with our NCESE partner schools to provide coaching and in-house support to assist schools with Tier 3 students.

Our Vision

Children and young people in Hume have access to educational opportunities that nurture and guide them to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their level of disadvantage. NCESE partner schools learn and work together, collaborating with families and community agencies, creating a community of mutual support.

Our Mission

A thriving mutual support network of local schools that feel confident in their ability to support the engagement of all students, including the most vulnerable in our community.

Our Impact

The NCESE partners are walking together towards a common vision: an inclusive and nurturing educational environment for all our students, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable young people in our community.


Support for Educators

Professional Development

NCESE provides school staff training & professional development through a suite of modules.

Mentoring & Coaching

NCESE offers access to versatile and intensive mentoring and coaching programs.​

Communities of Practice

The NCESE CoP aim to bring together NCESE partners on a regular basis in order to access professional development, share good practice, identify common challenges and advocacy priorities.

NCESE Annual Conference

NCESE has hosted two successful annual conferences with international keynote speakers and workshops.



Students & Parents

Project REAL

Project REAL is a re-engagement program for 9-12 year-olds who have disengaged from mainstream education.

Gateway School

The Gateway School, part of Roxburgh College, one of Banksia Gardens' community partners, is a flexible learning school.

Our Impact

The NCESE partners are walking together towards a common vision: an inclusive and nurturing educational environment for all our students, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable young people in our community.

Partner Schools

NCESE is a collective place-based initiative, deeply committed to a particular type of reflective practice that embeds learning in collaboration.