Robyn Seager and Jena George have had a very busy year this year at Learning for Life. They have over 600 children on the Learning for Life program, just in Goulburn. Robyn looks after the families and children and works with the schools. Jena is the programs coordinator bringing the programs into the schools. The focus is on the Learning for Life students who are on scholarships. To be eligible for a scholarship the parent needs to have a pension or health care card and be committed to their child’s education. The program runs on attendance rather than academic achievement. The expectation is that the children attend school for at least 90% of the school year. At the end of the school year the office receives a copy of the children’s end of year report to check attendance, to see if there are any gaps and if there are, to see if one of their programs may be able to help.
They have children from kindergarten through to year 12 and there are tertiary scholarships for those wanting to go on to University or TAFE. Referrals are mainly from the schools or other organisations. The funds families receive can be used for things like school camps, excursions, fees, school clothes, glasses, internet and computers. Families submit receipts and the expenditure is audited to make sure the money is spent in the correct way. Payments are twice a year - in January and then again in June or July. The payments for Kindergarten to year 10 are $420 per year and years 11 and 12 $670 per year.
If there is a problem with attendance, Robyn has a meeting with the parents and the principal. The aim is to work out strategies to get the student back into school and help find solutions for problems with the student or the family. They also refer families to other organisations for help with counselling, budgeting and other support.
University and TAFE students on scholarships also receive 2 payments per year for up to 4 years. University students receive $2500 per year and TAFE students $1500 per year.
The children are sponsored by people in the community.
The scholarships for students are only a small part of the program. This year’s programs have been limited by restrictions, but the Passport transition program from year 6 to year 7 is running to help children ease their anxieties about moving into high school. It includes having some of the current year 7 High School students coming to the primary schools and answering questions. It runs for 1 hour a week over a 6 week period and the schools have been really enjoying this program. They run FinLit which is a financial literacy program at the High School to give students knowledge about things such as Superannuation and Tax file numbers. The students receive a Certificate 1 when they have completed the course. They run learning clubs at West Goulburn and Goulburn Public School to assist with homework with the help of volunteers.
Robyn has been with the Smith Family for 20 years and loves her job - the families, the kids. The Smith Family is Australian based institution and started with a group of 5 men wanting to give emergency help to people for their basic living needs and toys to disadvantaged children. They didn’t want their names made public so they called themselves The Smiths and The Smith Family started. It has evolved over time from emergency help to the core program now being Learning for Life. As a children’s charity, for a child to have a good education it will get them further in life, so they focus on the education and not the handout side of the support. This way they are supporting the future. They still give toys and book packs to the children at Christmas time.
Robyn and Jena commend the sponsors and volunteers for their wonderful support. More volunteers are needed to help with the programs, so if you are interested you can contact them at the Learning for Life office on 02 4821 2833.
