Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Owen’s falling behind at school, and there’s a risk he’ll never catch up
8-year-old Owen’s favourite time of day used to be cuddling up on the couch with his dad each night, reading much-loved stories together. Reading was his best subject at school too, and gave him the confidence and motivation to try his best in his other subjects.
School felt easy before. My teachers said how good I was at reading. For Christmas, I want to read Dad our special book to make him smile. But it feels like my reading is just getting worse.
Repeated disruption to Owen’s learning has caused him to fall behind in his learning this year, despite the assistance from his teachers and his loving family.
With access to tailored out-of-school learning support in his local community, Owen can catch up and experience the opportunities every child deserves to achieve his full potential when school goes back next year.
But then his dad got sick, and the family had to move from their rural home to the city to be closer to specialist medical care.
Owen’s dad can no longer read to Owen, and his mum desperately wants to give Owen all the support his dad used to give. But the rising cost of living, soaring medical bills, and higher rents have put her under extreme pressure. Like Owen, she’s doing her best, but as the sole income earner of the family, she’s struggling to find time to help Owen with his homework.
Owen’s dad can no longer read to Owen, and his mum desperately wants to give Owen all the support his dad used to give. But the rising cost of living, soaring medical bills, and higher rents have put her under extreme pressure. Like Owen, she’s doing her best, but as the sole income earner of the family, she’s struggling to find time to help Owen with his homework.
Please, will you donate today to help give children like Owen the urgent learning support they need to overcome educational inequality?
Donate now 
Dad always used to say, ‘You’re only as good as how hard you try’ ...so I try really hard.
There are many reasons why children fall behind at school. Poverty shouldn’t be one of them.
For Owen, that reason has been the financial hardship and disruptions experienced by his family since his dad got sick.
Despite all the challenges he’s faced this year, Owen is determined to always do his best.
Your support this Christmas means Owen can have a chance to see his hard work rewarded from day one of the new school year.
Despite all the challenges he’s faced this year, Owen is determined to always do his best.
Your support this Christmas means Owen can have a chance to see his hard work rewarded from day one of the new school year.
Dad reads to me every night and helped me with all the hard words. But then he got sick. Mum’s so busy working now, so she can’t help me either.
Early intervention is key to stopping poverty block a child’s chance to achieve their best.
For children experiencing poverty, the barriers to making the most of their education can be overwhelming. These challenges can erode their confidence and motivation. And if they fall too far behind their peers, they may lose hope of ever catching up and completing Year 12, which can have a profound impact on the rest of their lives.
We know that education is one of the most powerful change agents. Your support can give students like Owen the support they need to complete Year 12 and set them up for a fulfilling life beyond the school gates.
Children like Owen deserve an equal chance to see their hard work rewarded
It’s heartbreaking to see Owen go from a standout reader at the start of the school year to someone who has gone backwards in his learning.
The challenges of starting at a new school, making new friends, and dealing with his dad’s illness, while trying to support his mum who is struggling to keep the family afloat, are overwhelming for a young boy. It's no surprise that he finds reading more difficult now.
While Owen’s peers are looking forward to getting their report cards and enjoying their summer holidays, Owen’s worried about what will happen next school year if he can’t catch up.
Your urgent support can help children like Owen overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning today, so they have a chance at a better tomorrow.
Donate now Learning support gives children experiencing poverty a chance at a better tomorrow
The impacts of poverty on a child like Owen can be so profound, leading them to feel that catching up would be impossible.
But our research-led learning programs have proven that children can catch up, keep up and break the cycle of poverty, despite the barriers poverty puts in their way.
Next year could be very different for Owen. With your support, Owen, and many thousands like him across the country, can finally see their efforts at school rewarded.
By giving generously, you help us deliver dedicated programs that are tailored to each student’s unique needs and are proven to get them back on track.
Your gift today helps level the playing field for children living with poverty, giving them a chance to make the most of their education and achieve all they are capable of when school returns next year.
Owen needs an equal chance to achieve his best at school.
Give children like Owen the extra learning support they need to overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning. Your donation will help them catch up and keep up and build a better tomorrow.
Winter 2024
*Owen's name, family details and associated images have been changed to protect his family’s identity.