All children deserve an equal chance to thrive at school

With the rising cost of living, it’s harder than ever for children like Ruby to access essential learning support ahead of the new school year.

Ruby*, 7 years old, used to be a standout student. Like any other child, she is excited about the coming holidays. But she’s also worried about the school year ahead and that she will never be able to catch up. The obstacles she now faces because of poverty has caused her to fall behind at school, despite all her efforts and the support of her family and teachers.

Ruby sitting at desk in library — Help stop poverty affecting Ruby at school.

Since Ruby’s mum passed away, Ruby has faced a huge amount of adversity and disruption - but she never stops trying her best. However Ruby faces daily challenges because of poverty, and it is poverty rather than her heartbreaking loss, that’s caused her to fall behind at school. Having faced adversity and disruption this school year after her mum tragically passed away, Ruby and her younger siblings had to move in with her grandmother Ivy* and her world was turned upside down. Although Ivy does everything she can to support Ruby, the daily challenges Ruby faced daily challenges because of poverty, means she is now falling behind at school.

Children don’t have an equal chance when they live in poverty. The further Ruby falls behind in her learning, the harder it is for her to catch up. But with access to this crucial out-of school learning support before the start of the new school year, Ruby can once again become the stand-out student she works so hard to be.

Will you please donate today to help children like Ruby access the crucial learning support programs in Term 1 and Term 2 next year.

Your gift will make a life changing difference to a child growing up in poverty, by helping ensure they have an equal chance to thrive from the very start of the new school year.

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Poverty means that Ruby misses out on the crucial learning support that all children need to thrive at school.

Ruby is such a smart kid and I see how hard she tries every day. But I feel like everything is stacked up against her. I hate that I can’t do more to help her.

Ivy*, Ruby’s grandmother

Poverty means that Ruby misses out on the crucial learning support that all children need to thrive at school.

Ruby is smart, hardworking and determined to learn, but growing up in disadvantage means Ruby faces obstacles to her learning every day. Obstacles such as not having a quiet place to study, something that many of her classmates don't experience. Despite doing her absolute best all year, and support from her teachers, Ruby’s still fallen behind through no fault of her own. She urgently needs out-of-school learning support so that next school year she can achieve her best once again.

Ruby loves to learn and always tries her best

Ruby has always loved reading and was once a stand-out student. But when her mum tragically passed away in a car accident. Ruby and her two little brothers moved in with their grandmother, Ivy ─ a retiree on a modest pension. Like any loving grandparent , Ivy wants the best for her grandchildren, and does everything she can to support Ruby ─ but covering the day-to-day costs of raising three young children on her own is a real stretch, especially with the rising cost of living.

Ruby sitting in home kitchen doing homework — The kitchen table is the only place Ruby can study.

Despite everything, Ruby never stops trying her best.

There isn't space in Ivy's small home for Ruby to have a desk so she can do her homework somewhere quiet. And while she goes above and beyond for her granddaughter, Ivy doesn't have the skills to help with her homework.

These daily challenges mean that, despite all her hard work and support from her Grandma and teachers, Ruby's fallen behind in school.

Disadvantage shouldn't block a passionate, hardworking, and motivated child like Ruby from achieving their potential. Without urgent support to catch up, her entire future could be impacted. We can't let that happen.

Every child needs support to thrive at school

All children need support to achieve their best - and all children should have an equal chance to access that support. But Ruby is among the 1 in 6 Australian children who are growing up in poverty right now¹, and as a result, she's missing out on the crucial learning support she needs to fulfil her potential and shape her own future.

A little support from you will make a big difference to children like Ruby. With your generosity, together, we can make sure no child misses out on the vital learning support that all children need to make the most of their education.

My teacher said going to Year 3 is exciting. I want to be good at school, but I’m worried it will be too hard.

Ruby, age 7

Over 2,100 children like Ruby still need access life-changing out-of-school learning support to achieve their best and break the cycle of poverty. You can help.

DONATE NOW

How your donation will help children in Ruby’s position achieve their best

Your gift will make a life-changing difference to a child growing up in poverty, right from the beginning of the school year ─ by providing access to the proven extra learning support that all children need to thrive.

Our evidence-based out-of-school learning programs are proven to be highly effective at boosting confidence, building skills, and helping children to attend school more regularly ─ giving them a greater chance of completing their education to Year 12³ and going on to break the cycle of poverty.

You can give children like Ruby an equal chance to make the most of their education and achieve their best, by providing crucial out-of-school learning support that includes:

Learning Clubs

With your support Ruby can attend one of our Learning Clubs, where she’ll be able to get help with reading from a skilled volunteer tutor – and have access to a supportive space to do her homework. 75% of students say going to a Learning Club helped them do better at school.

student2student

Through our student2student reading program, Ruby will be paired with a trained reading buddy. This kind of peer-to-peer support is proven to be extremely effective at helping children catch up, and 94% of participants in this program improve their reading.⁵

Young ICT Explorers Accelerator program

With less access to the digital technology they need to learn, young Australians experiencing disadvantage are less prepared for the jobs of the future. In this highly effective program, students like Ruby have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and confidence in STEM* to solve real-world problems.

The growing problem of poverty in Australia

The soaring cost of living is pushing more and more families across Australia even deeper into poverty. Right now, Ruby is one of more than 1.2 million Australian children and young people living in disadvantage¹.

Through no fault of their own, and despite their parents’ best efforts, children growing up in disadvantage face daily challenges that can prevent them from achieving all they’re capable of. Without the vital support for their learning that all children need to succeed, they can fall behind - which can limit their options for the rest of their lives.

Education is a pathway out of poverty.

Fortunately, research shows that early intervention and ongoing, targeted learning support are proven to help children overcome the barriers poverty puts in the way of their learning,² so they can thrive at school and go on to fulfil their potential.

By investing in a child’s education, we can break the cycle of disadvantage by delivering long-term positive benefits for them, their family and potentially generations to come.

Ruby in a classroom with kids — Help stop poverty affecting Ruby at school.

*Ruby’s name, family details and associated images have been changed to protect her family’s identity.

^1. Poverty in Australia 2023: Who is affected? UNSW/ACOSS.
^2. James Heckman and Flavio Cunha, 2007.
^3. Attendance Lifts Achievement Report. The Smith Family. 2018.
^4.The Smith Family’s Learning Clubs Program Outcomes Summary, 2021.
^5. The Smith Family 2020/21 Program Outcomes Summary .