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- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
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  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
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  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Providing holistic, long-term support for disadvantaged young Australians throughout their education.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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Our Koorie Learning Club is bringing the community together

Students on programs

20 November 2019

Extra support and positive learning environments can make a huge difference to students experiencing the effects of disadvantage. Since 2013, our Koorie Learning Club for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has been offering exactly that. And it’s bringing students of all ages together with incredible results.

After trying a few venues, our Koorie Learning Club found a great home at a boarding school in Victoria. It has given students at the school the opportunity to help out as volunteer tutors. And both the children participating and those volunteering are gaining so much from the experience.

“I love coming to Learning Club, we really appreciate the boys who help out. They help us do lots of things – like reading and writing – but they also make it fun. I look forward to it every week.” said Charli, aged 10.

Year 11 student, Patrick, sees helping younger students with their homework as a chance to inspire them. And it’s helping him to grow as well.

“I remember when I was young and in primary school, I always looked up to those older students who came and helped out. As a student, you always wanted to be around them and learn from them, so it’s nice to think I’m giving back now,” said Patrick.

“I’ve really got to know all the kids here and build relationships with them. I think the experience has improved me as a person.”

“I love coming to Learning Club, we really appreciate the boys who help out. They help us do lots of things – like reading and writing – but they also make it fun. I look forward to it every week.”

said Charli, aged 10

Marjorie, a proud Wotjobaluk woman from Victoria, has been there from the beginning and helped establish the program. She couldn’t be more impressed by the results.

“Two of the Koorie students who attended towards the beginning have completed their schooling. One has gone on to do a double degree at a university in Melbourne and the other was offered work at the school where they completed Year 12. And one of our tutors was a young Koorie man who has become a teacher,” said Marjorie.

“Our Koorie Learning Club helps Aboriginal children to learn and achieve their goals in school and beyond. Being here from the start has been an amazing journey.”