Brighter Futures, Autumn 2018
News from A Start in Life for the people who make it possible
Resources at school, engagement at home: this edition explains how A Start in Life works with educators and families so students can keep moving forward.
Every story from the 4-page printed newsletter is written out below, so it reads well on a phone and works with screen readers.
In this edition
This edition at a glance
- of primary and secondary students said they understood school work better
- 86%
- of students said they had everything they needed for school
- 90%
- of parents saw improvements in their child's education
- 85%
- of tertiary students felt closer to their career goals
- 92%
Source: Brighter Futures, Autumn 2018, 2017 student and parent survey, page 4.
Providing the resources
We provide the resources, teachers provide the education
Late last year we met school principals and experienced educators to learn how they track their students' progress. We have built what we learned into each student's yearly support plan.
Teachers set learning goals with their pupils, so we now ask our students to share those goals with us. Where none exist, Jason Chan, a qualified teacher who joined us in August, helps students and parents set them. Our meetings with educators confirmed what we have long known: support at home is one of the strongest foundations for a child's motivation to learn.
Technology support
A schoolbag essential in 2018
In 2011 the United Nations Human Rights Council recognised the importance of universal internet access. For our students, a computer and an internet connection mean research, assignments and contact with teachers without a trip to the local library.
In the past year we supported IT equipment and costs for well over 100 students, from new computers and printers to internet access and software. Parents told us the difference showed in their children's grades.
Prize Giving
Celebrating 25 students at the Grace Hotel
In April, 25 students and their families travelled from all over Australia to our Annual Prize Giving in Sydney. We celebrated students like Merwan, who received a 98.85 ATAR in the 2017 HSC, and students as young as five who helped others in their community.
Five students received our newest awards, the Beryl Rudd Humanitarian Awareness Prizes.
Parent engagement
The key to success at home
Melissa, a single mother of two, put it well: teachers hold the balance in class, but parents have the power after the bell. She checks her sons' school portal daily and built a routine they stick to, with soccer after school, study before tea and reading for fun every night.
Her sons' literacy and numeracy keep improving, and their school reports speak of their "confidence and enjoyment" in the classroom.
Donor news
Thank you, Universities Australia
Universities Australia chose us as community partner for the 2018 Higher Education Conference and replaced its speaker gifts with a donation to A Start in Life. Thank you for backing the path we are taking.
Knowing there are people supporting me is an awesome fact. It keeps me motivated whenever I feel the load is too much.A student, 2017 survey
The newsletter as printed
Tap a page to open the PDF at that page, or download the whole edition.
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4More editions
Help more students find the resources to learn
A gift today funds the essentials, tutoring and skills programs that help a student from a family doing it tough stay at school and believe in what they can do.
18 July 2018
