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The Smith Family welcomes strong education focus in budget

15 May 2013

"The Smith Family applauds the Federal Government's commitment to invest in a crucial needs-based school funding model to ensure no Australian child is left behind because of their background and circumstances.

As a nation, we share a common interest in ensuring Australia's economic and social wellbeing. If the remaining states and territories sign up to the funding offer, the $9.8billion that the Federal Government has put on the table will go a long way to secure the future of Australia's children, helping them to reach their full potential no matter who they are or what their postcode is. The new school funding reforms are a huge win for disadvantaged children and support our vision of a better future for young Australians in need through creating a high performing and high equity schooling system.

Research has shown that a third of children in the most disadvantaged communities are starting school developmentally vulnerable.  A quarter of Year 4 students are at or below the international minimum reading standard. Only 56 percent of students from low SES backgrounds are completing Year 12 compared to 75 percent of advantaged children. The Government's needs-based funding will help to address this imbalance.

That's why the $9.8billion in this budget is welcomed.  The Smith Family calls on all state and territory governments to support a needs-based funding model that will see an increased Government investment for school children who need it the most."

The Smith Family also welcomes a reinvestment in the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program

"The Smith Family welcomes the Federal Government's decision to deliver a $12million funding boost over the next four years to the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) in this year's budget.

The new funding for the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program will support 204 new scholarships for Indigenous students. It will provide scholarships for 68 students in 2014 in each of Years 7, 8 and 11. The IYLP supports scholarships of up to three years duration for Indigenous students to attend approved secondary schools (day and boarding, government and non-government).

A boost to this program is important as it builds capacity for local community efforts to help close the gap and support the development of positive role models and future leaders for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Through this program, The Smith Family currently supports 179 Indigenous students at eleven schools in the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales. The Program provides development opportunities for these students such as supporting them to undertake national and international leadership and cultural activities.

The Smith Family has also made a commitment to any young person we have directly supported through IYLP, with further assistance through provision of a Smith Family Learning for Life scholarship provided after their secondary schooling years.  This enables them to maintain a relationship with the IYLP Coordinator and Support Worker beyond their Year 12 studies.  Since 2010 through The Smith Family, IYLP has assisted just over 100 young Indigenous men and women to gain their Year 12 SACE Certificate or interstate equivalent.

Since 2006, more than 1,500 secondary and tertiary students have been assisted under the IYLP. More than 86 percent of students have been retained in the program or have completed Year 12, and more than 98 percent of students who have begun Year 12, have completed the year.

IYLP is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).  In 2009 The Smith Family was selected to be an IYLP Partnership Broker."

Commitment to School Business Community Partnership Brokers program

"The Smith Family particularly welcomes the continuation of the School Business Community Partnership Brokers Program to December 2014, given the important role it has in building partnerships that foster a whole of community approach to supporting young people's learning and development.

The Smith Family welcomes the Commonwealth's continued support of the Youth Transitions Program which aims to provide young people with the knowledge and skills to enhance their educational and employment prospects."