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Sponsors needed to support more NSW students experiencing disadvantage

18 March 2025

NAPLAN timely reminder of Back to School's appeal's importance.

In January, The Smith Family launched its Back to School Appeal to help children experiencing disadvantage to access extra learning, personal and financial support for their education, with children supported by generous Australians who sign up as their sponsors.

However, school essentials still remain out of reach for many students throughout NSW and this is impacting their educational outcomes. Right now, a further 500 students in NSW are waiting for support from The Smith Family so they can access the organisation’s Learning for Life education support program.

The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor, says NAPLAN tests, currently being held throughout Australia, are a stark reminder of the divide between students from low and high socioeconomic backgrounds.

“The evidence shows that students from low socioeconomic households who start school behind, are on average four and a half years behind their more advantaged peers in reading proficiency by the time they reach Year 9,” Mr Taylor says.

“This highlights the reality of educational inequality.

“Not every student who walks through the school gates each morning can afford a school uniform, school shoes, a backpack, a personal laptop, home internet for connection or their excursion fees.

“A Learning for Life sponsorship helps with the cost of those school essentials and also provides opportunities for students to engage in evidence-based educational programs outside school hours to help their learning.

“Cost-of-living increases have impacted every household’s budget – but none more so than those families already experiencing poverty.

“The families The Smith Family supports will continue to have to make tough decisions even as inflation levels come down.

“So please, if you are in a financial position to do so, consider sponsoring a student before the 31 March.”

A survey conducted by The Smith Family before the start of the school year found nine out of 10 parents and carers were concerned about being able to afford all school essentials this year.

Digital devices were at the top of the list.

The Smith Family has already delivered 8,000 refurbished computers to students on the Learning for Life program across the past three years, however, 30% of the students it supports remain digitally disconnected.

Not for much longer, Mr Taylor says.

“In coming years, our aim is to ensure every student on our program has digital access,” he said.

“We know students who aren’t digitally connected, which includes not having access to a reliable internet, rely heavily on the goodwill of others and on free, unreliable internet.

“Those students are staying back after school hours to access a school-owned laptop or having to use unreliable Wi-Fi at public libraries or busy shopping centres.

“Developing a routine or having a quiet space of their own to study is not possible without a laptop or reliable home internet connection.

“The resilience these students show daily is inspiring but we have a long way to go to achieve educational equality,” said Mr Taylor.

To donate visit thesmithfamily.com.au/sponsor-a-child

All 2454 respondents to this survey are parents and carers *whose children are supported by The Smith Family*.

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au