Researchers delve into disadvantaged students' resilience
Deakin University researchers want to know what is behind the resilience of successful students at socially disadvantaged schools.
It is conducting a study at Colac, Geelong and Mount Dandenong to find out how students overcome difficult circumstances.
The project leader, Professor Jill Blackmore, says the community can play a big role.
"Schools are not isolated things," she said.
"Schools are actually quite central to communities, particularly rural and isolated communities.
"They're places where people congregate and meet, they're where social networks are made.
"Kids themselves get their social networks built out of their school relationships."