Annual Report 2017
The year at A Start in Life, 2016/17
In the 2016/17 financial year, A Start in Life gave $915,639 directly to students, kept running costs down by 2%, and still strengthened its balance sheet so support can continue for years to come.
Primary and high school students supported that year recorded an average attendance rate of 93%, and since 1923 almost seven thousand students have been helped to stay in education.
From the reports of Allan Elliott, President, Neil Robinson, Chief Executive Officer, and Joe Hansell, Treasurer
Everything below comes from the 16-page report, written out here so it works with screen readers and search.
Student story
Sammy is working towards her dream career as a vet
Sammy moved ten hours from home to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Science. Unpaid placements during the holidays made part time work almost impossible, and after rent she was living on less than $50 a fortnight. Support from A Start in Life covered her travel to placements, boots and gloves for working with livestock, textbooks and a laptop.
I cannot explain how truly grateful I am to have you assist me in working towards my dream career!
The year at a glance
- given directly to students as assistance
- $915,639
- average attendance rate, primary and high school students
- 93%
- students received new school uniforms
- 163
- families received a computer and internet access
- 105
Source: A Start in Life Annual Report 2017, pages 3, 5, 9 and 13.
Support provided in 2016/17
- 163 students received new school uniforms
- 160 students received textbooks and stationery
- 154 students received new school and sports shoes
- 105 families received a computer and internet access
- 92 students attended school camps and excursions
- 80 students were helped to play a weekend sport
- 42 students benefited from remedial tuition
- 17 students learnt a musical instrument
- 15 students were treated for a medical condition affecting their studies
- 130 families received food vouchers to cover school lunches
What changed for students
- 75% increased their attendance at school
- 73% found it easier to complete homework
- 67% of primary and secondary students increased or maintained their average score
- 72% of tertiary students increased or maintained their average score
- 78% of students lived in single parent families
Financials
A Start in Life receives no government funding. Support for students is sustained by donors, partners and income from investments built up over a century.
| Item | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,327,408 | 1,370,002 |
| Student assistance | (915,639) | (923,846) |
| Fundraising | (145,801) | (147,546) |
| Marketing | (74,297) | (71,846) |
| Banking, investment and accounting | (101,750) | (107,762) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | (24,955) | (21,438) |
| Office and administration | (56,800) | (76,667) |
| Profit for the year | 8,167 | 20,897 |
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) | 241,139 | (36,801) |
| Total comprehensive income before allocations | 249,306 | (15,904) |
| Allocations from capital funds | – | 29,007 |
| Allocations to capital funds | (239,000) | – |
| Total comprehensive income after allocations | 10,306 | 13,103 |
| Item | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | 10,004,127 | 9,177,784 |
| Total liabilities | 241,981 | 291,618 |
| Net assets | 9,762,146 | 8,886,166 |
- Student assistance69%
- Fundraising11%
- Banking, investment and accounting8%
- Marketing6%
- Office and administration4%
- Depreciation and amortisation2%
Share of total expenses of $1,319,242, from the statement of profit or loss.
Help the next student start strong
Every figure on this page began with a donor. A gift today helps a student from a family doing it tough stay at school and reach their goals.
31 December 2017
