Brighter Futures, March 2025

Learning for Success

Creating learning-rich homes

A child's learning doesn't stop at the school gates. Many families face barriers, from a lack of books to not knowing where to start, so your donations provide books and literacy tools, activities that make numeracy fun, and creative materials that inspire imagination.

Our favourite tips are simple: read street signs and packaging together, have children write notes to loved ones, measure ingredients while cooking, turn walks into number hunts, keep a craft box of paper tubes and buttons, and use car rides for storytelling.

By weaving learning into daily routines, parents can create an engaging, supportive environment without adding pressure.

Career and Skills Development Scholarship

Opening doors to the future

In January, our first and second year scholars went behind the scenes at Canva. A panel of a data scientist, a product manager, a product designer and a guest services officer spoke candidly about their careers, and their message was clear: there is no single path to success, only the one that is right for you.

The day ended with a vision board activity, connecting where students are now with where they could be. Petra took away that "you can really only learn through experience", and Justine that "resilience is the key to success".

Your young people have incredibly bright futures ahead of them.Felix, Canva Program Manager

Tertiary Scholarships

Chasing big dreams

Tina is studying Business and IT and wants to become a financial analyst. She is achieving Distinctions and High Distinctions, serves as Treasurer of a university society, and is looking for an internship, though unpaid placements are hard while covering living costs.

Ned recently graduated with a Bachelor of Environmental Science. Our funding helped him join a professional organisation and secure a job in natural resources management, and he has since been accepted into a CSIRO traineeship and a Master's degree.

This year we are aiming to support an extra 20 tertiary students, each needing up to $5,000 a year.

Far too many people go through their time with seemingly little respect for their own careers and subsequently themselves, I am not that type of person.Ned

Celebrating partnerships

Local support sparks confidence and team spirit

For over fifteen years we have worked alongside William Rose School, a sensory and special education school. At the latest award ceremony, Eddie, a student we have supported since Year 3, celebrated his Year 12 graduation.

This year we introduced a new grant giving four students $2,000 a year for things like an upgraded iPad with a communication app, a sensory-friendly uniform or therapy. Anthony from our Student Assistance Team also set up weekly football sessions with professional players.

Our students had so much fun learning drills and practicing goal kicking!A William Rose School teacher