Beyond the Bell, a group that aims to improve year 12 attainment in the south-west, will share its views in a review into improving student performance in Australian schools.

Beyond the Bell planning and liaison support officer Adele Kenneally said the group would lodge a submission to the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools.

Ms Kinneally and Wannon MP Dan Tehan are encouraging parents, teachers, students and education experts to make their voices heard in the David Gonski-led review, which closes on October 13.

She said the review needed to recognise that schools and teachers were doing fantastic work but keeping children in school was a much bigger and more complex job.

“Life is more complicated now for today’s young people due to social media and other issues, and education is more than just the school's responsibility; it is a whole of community responsibility,” Ms Kenneally said.

“Therefore, collaborative approaches across all sectors are needed, such as the Beyond the Bell initiative.”

Ms Kenneally said the initiatives needed support from government, including funding, co-operation, and resources.

Beyond the Bell is undertaking and supporting “some ground-breaking initiatives”, which she said were starting to make a big difference in young people’s lives.

“We need the community to also value, support and keep young people engaged in education. This includes parents, families, friends, clubs all working together.” 

Mr Tehan said the landmark review was an opportunity for the community to share ideas and experience of what measures could boost student outcomes.

He said the Turnbull government had locked in a new funding system that boosted per student assistance in Wannon by an average of $3429 for government and independent schools to ensure teachers could focus on the programs that are best suited to their students.

“While a strong level of funding is important, it’s clear that to achieve the best educational performance we must also look at how this funding is used in our schools, and not just how much is being spent.

“This is an opportunity for people across the education system, including local students and their parents, to share their ideas and experience of what measures can boost student outcomes,” Mr Tehan said. 

The issues paper and information on how to lodge a submission are available from education.gov.au/educationalexcellencereview