All children deserve the chance to make the most of their education
Despite all his hard work, poverty is standing in the way of Nic’s dreams for the future.
8-year-old Nic should have the same chance as any child to achieve his best. He even dreams of one day becoming an astronaut. He is determined, works so hard everyday at school to make his loving and supportive family proud. But through no fault of his own, he’s falling behind because he faces barriers every day that many of his more advantaged classmates don’t experience. All because he’s growing up in poverty.
Barriers such as a lack of access to digital tools, the internet, or a quiet place to study mean he’s falling behind at school, especially in maths – making it harder to remain engaged with his learning.
Nic deserves an equal chance to achieve his goals – and in a country like Australia, it simply doesn’t add up that poverty can stand in the way of any child’s education and hopes for the future.
My teacher says astronauts are good at maths and science. I’ve gotta get good again so I can be one.
Children don’t have an equal chance when they live in poverty
Children don’t have an equal chance when they live in poverty
Now, rising cost-of-living pressures are pushing them even deeper into poverty, and like many thousands of Australian families, they’re having to make difficult choices.
I know I have to try harder at maths, but don’t know how I’m going to get better
Through access to proven out-of-school learning support, Nic can overcome the obstacles poverty puts in his way
Through access to proven out-of-school learning support, Nic can overcome the obstacles poverty puts in his way
All parents want to see their child succeed in their education and support their learning, and Nic’s parents are no different. But to cover the rising cost of essentials like rent, food and fuel, they have both had to take additional shifts at work, which leave them little time to support his learning.
Nic does all he can to help his parents care for his 3-year-old twin sisters — but that leaves him very little time or energy for his homework. Even when he has time, his only space to study is in his family’s bustling kitchen.
All these challenges are building up and holding Nic back from all he’s capable of.
Despite doing his best, Nic is no longer seeing his effort add up to the good grades his hard work deserves.
He’s very worried he’ll have to move to a lower maths group if his grades don’t improve soon and that he’ll miss out on the future he has his sights set on — but he’s determined to keep trying.
You can give children like Nic a chance to build a better future for themselves
Right now, the soaring cost of living is pushing more and more families across Australia even deeper into poverty — and directly impacting their children’s education. More children than ever need your help to overcome the daily challenges that prevent them from having the same opportunities as other children to achieve their best at school this year.
HOW YOUR DONATION WILL HELP A STUDENT
Learning Clubs
Your tax-deductible donation can support Nic to access help with his maths from dedicated and skilled volunteer tutors in our out-of-school Learning Club to help him catch up, keep up and build confidence with his schoolwork.
84% of students said going to our Learning Club makes them try harder at school.3
Future Seekers
With 71% of students reporting a greater initial understanding of the diversity of jobs4, Nic too can receive guidance on how to best use his strengths and interests to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut.
Passport Program
1. Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected? UNSW/ACOSS2. Lamb S., Jackson J., Walstab A. and Huo S. (2015), Who succeeds and who misses out, Centre for International Research on Education Systems, Victoria University, for the Mitchell Institute, Melbourne.
3. Attendance Lifts Achievement Report. The Smith Family. 2018
4. The Smith Family’s Future Seekers Program Outcomes Summary 2020/21
5. The Smith Family’s Passport to Success Outcomes Summary, 2020