There are still 4,532 Australian children who need extra learning support by this Christmas.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  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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- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Partnerships
  Learn how your organisation can partner with The Smith Family and help build a better future for Australian children in need.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 16,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  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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student2student

The reading gap in primary school between the lowest socio-economic students (SES) and the highest SES is equivalent to almost 3 yrs of schooling¹

The literacy foundations built by children during their primary and early secondary years are crucial to their ability to do well at school. Research identifies a clear link between the development of cognitive skills such as literacy and numeracy at an early age and higher levels of education achievement, greater employability, higher earnings and greater social participation.²

What is student2student?

Our student2student program works by matching students who need to improve their reading with peer Buddies who help and encourage them with their reading. Peer support is central to the program’s success. Evidence indicates that one of the best ways to support students who have reading difficulties is for the help to come from others near their own age.³

student2student involves these two groups of participants:

Students in Years 3 to 8 assessed as being up to two years behind in their reading development and want additional support to improve their reading.
Reading Buddies with good literacy skills who are at least two years older than the student. The Buddies are trained by The Smith Family to help their students develop reading confidence and skills, using the ‘Pause, Prompt, Praise’ reading support method.

Each student and Buddy read two to three times a week for at least 20 minutes, over an 18 week period.

The student2student program is currently delivered digitally.

The student2student digital model enables students to connect using a website called Chatty Kids. Students read eBooks provided on the site and use the Voice over IP function to speak to their Buddy.

How does student2student help?

For more than a decade student2student has been annually evaluated and has consistently realised reading improvements in participants.

Reading improvement is assessed through the implementation of a pre and post-program reading test and surveys with all participants (readers and Buddies), including feedback from parents. Since its inception, the program has proven the value of peer to peer reading.

In 2022, a detailed analysis of data for 1150 student2student participants was carried out. Students, Buddies and parents were also asked to complete surveys about their experience of the program.

94% of students improved their reading
74% of students agreed they read more having completed the program
80% of students agreed the program helped them feel more confident with school work
88% of parents reported children felt better about themselves
93% of parents report their child’s reading has improved.

Before introducing the program nationally, The Smith Family trialed and independently evaluated the student2student program for three years in New South Wales.

You can help disadvantaged Australian children get the most out of their education and create a better future for themselves. Join our community of volunteers and help us to provide the support these children need.

Volunteer

What our participants tell us

It was good reading to someone that I didn't know because they didn't judge me when I made mistakes.

student2student participant

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student2student

What is student2student?

The student2student program is currently delivered digitally.

How does student2student help?

For more than a decade student2student has been annually evaluated and has consistently realised reading improvements in participants.

What our participants tell us

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student2student

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