We need to provide learning support for 18,922 children by 30 June.

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  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
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  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
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  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
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  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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  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
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Poppy and Sarah have emerged as confident leaders on their Learning Club journey

17 March 2025

Year 6 students, Sarah and Poppy love learning together and have big dreams for the future. “I want to be a vet,” says Sarah. “I want to be a teacher,” adds Poppy. But when it came to building their confidence, neither knew where to start. Their families care deeply about their education but living with disadvantage means they can’t always support their daughters’ learning as much as they would like. As a result, the girls didn’t always have access to the guidance and resources that all students need to reach their potential. This made it hard for them to fully engage in their education.

That changed when they joined Learning Club. Thanks to generous sponsors like you, they now have extra learning support where they need it the most. At Learning Club, they are guided by their devoted tutor and mentor, Susie.

Their mentor Susie is proud to be part of a program filling that gap for students like Sarah and Poppy, helping them build the vital skills they need. Each week, Sarah and Poppy arrive at Learning Club after school, ready to tackle homework and practise maths and reading comprehension.

No matter the learning challenges they face, Sarah and Poppy know Susie is there to help. And when the homework’s done, there’s always fun to look forward to. “I like doing my homework with my amazing mentor, Susie,” Sarah says, “and if we have enough time, we can play a game!”

While Susie encourages laughter, she takes her tutoring very seriously and the impact is clear. Each week Susie watches the girls’ skills, knowledge and self-assurance grow.

Learning Club is about our kids’ future. Education is power. With the right support, the world is Sarah and Poppy’s to explore. We equip them with what they need to grab every opportunity.

Susie, Learning Club mentor

“When a student has confidence, they’ll take the leap to try and get what they want out of life. I believe confidence is key,” Susie says.

Before Learning Club, Sarah had struggled with public speaking. “Sarah has great leadership potential, but she needed encouragement,” Susie says. “I told her to go to the other end of the room because I wanted to hear her project her voice. I couldn’t hear her at first, but eventually, she was able to do it. I saw her speak confidently, and it was the most natural she’s ever been.”

It’s sponsors like you who make this possible, helping students like Sarah and Poppy overcome the barriers that poverty has put in their way and ensuring they have the chance to reach their full potential.

The impact of Learning Club is clear. Recently, Sarah and Poppy got elected to school leadership. It’s an achievement Susie has watched them work hard to earn. When they were called to the principal’s office and told they were school captains, they felt thrilled. “Poppy got PE captain and I got Library captain,” says Sarah. “It’s all thanks to Susie, who helped us get there.”

“Before Learning Club, I hated public speaking,” says Sarah. But thanks to support from Susie, she now regularly speaks at assemblies. She credits Susie for giving her “the confidence to go on stage.”

Thank you for being a sponsor. Your continuous support helps students like Sarah and Poppy achieve their best. It’s thanks to amazing sponsors like you that students can grow and choose their future. In Poppy’s words: “I like how they always want me to be my best.”

Read more student and family stories in our Autumn 2025 edition of Real People, Real Stories

How the dedication of Charlotte the volunteer is helping students become proud, confident readers

17 March 2025

Christian knows what it takes to overcome barriers – that’s why he’s choosing to sponsor a student

17 March 2025

Thanks to supporters like you, gymnast Emmanouela has broken through the digital divide

18 March 2025