We must provide learning support for 18,922 children by 30 June.

Our Programs
- Literacy programs
  Providing resources and support to help children living with disadvantage achieve the required reading standard.
- Technology programs
  Providing children and young people living with disadvantage with the critical skills, access, and equipment they need.
- Numeracy programs
  We support early years educators and community professionals in building foundational math skills in children under their care.
- Learning for Life
  Learning for Life is an innovative, evidence-based program that supports students throughout their education to achieve positive long-term outcomes for young people experiencing disadvantage.
- Mentoring programs
  Mentoring programs for students living with disadvantage that provide the encouragement they need to build aspirations for their future.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
  Our work engages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in learning through education, life skills and role models, promoting culturally responsive practice.
Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs
Get Involved
- Ways to fundraise
  Learn about fundraising and give back to the community with The Smith Family.
- Volunteer with us
  Share your skills to help Australian children in need transform their lives through education.
- Corporate partnerships
  Corporate partnerships give young Australians in need the chance to change their futures through educational support. Discover how you can join forces with The Smith Family to create a mutually-beneficial, impactful partnership.
- Careers
  We aim to provide a working environment where staff and volunteers have the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally.
- Events
  Participate in events and activities that support young Australians experiencing disadvantage.
- VIEW Clubs of Australia
  Learn about VIEW, a leading women’s volunteer organisation and support network with over 13,000 members, across Australia.
Ways to Give
- Sponsor a child
  Through child sponsorship, you will be matched to an Australian child in need, helping to support the cost of their school essentials.
- A gift in your will
  Ensure that future generations of Australian children have the support they need to make the most of their education.
- Monthly donation
  Become a monthly donor and provide continual support throughout all stages of a child’s education.
- Philanthropic giving
  Through your philanthropy, you can ensure that young Australians impacted by poverty get the education that all children deserve.
- Single donation
  Your donation will help young Australians in need by providing access to our Learning for Life education support programs.
- Workplace giving
  Making small, regular donations to The Smith Family through Workplace Giving is an easy way to help change the lives of young Australians living in poverty.
Login
Child Sponsorship
Donate now

Fallout of COVID-19 on children's education not over yet

28 May 2022

A national survey of more than 1,100 parents and carers whose children are supported by The Smith Family, has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to deeply impact children’s education, due to ongoing disruptions to 'normal' schooling, the after-effects of home learning and other urgent issues faced by families in need.

Among the key findings:

Two-thirds (66%) of parents and carers reported that COVID made starting school difficult this year and more than half (54%) said it was continuing to make learning difficult for their children. Among the issues reported were mental health concerns, worries about getting COVID, missing school due to being unwell with COVID or being in isolation, and disrupted routines and connections between children, parents and teachers.
It was also striking that 70% of parents and carers said they’re worried about their children’s schoolwork in the future – their biggest worry being their children falling behind at school – with almost three-quarters (74%) saying they struggled to help their children with schoolwork during COVID due to a lack of devices, skills, time or internet access for home learning and juggling other responsibilities.

One caregiver surveyed said, “Last year [my child’s] grades dropped significantly – a combination of lack of learning support materials and difficulties in attempting to home school.”

Another respondent said, “We're all thinking, how long before we get sent home again? How is this year going to play out? Will my Year 6 child be ready for high school, as he's already behind? Will my Year 1 child be able to catch up as she missed most of kindy?”

The Smith Family’s CEO, Doug Taylor said students experiencing disadvantage were at risk of falling behind even before the pandemic, and Grattan Institute analysis of the NAPLAN data shows that significant gaps remain or have worsened for these students over the past two years.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed with absolute urgency,” Mr Taylor said. “We’re seeing a widening educational gap reflected in the data and we’re hearing directly from families that they’re worried about their children’s education.

“Helping students in need who are struggling at school is a key focus of The Smith Family’s work, and what we’re seeing in this third year of the pandemic is that the need is greater than ever.

“We want to extend our tailored learning support programs to more children over the coming year so that they can thrive in their education once again.

“This is not just a job for schools alone,” Mr Taylor added. “We all have a part to play to help children experiencing the impacts of poverty to overcome the challenges they face and have a positive future. The Smith Family relies on support from generous donors across Australia to help us do exactly that.”

The survey coincides with the launch of The Smith Family’s Winter Appeal, which aims to raise over $5.4 million by 30 June. Donations will help the charity provide vital extra learning and mentoring support to 12,857 more children in need, including giving them access to a range of proven numeracy, reading and mentoring programs.

These programs include:

student2student, which pairs children with older students to improve their reading skills outside of school;
Learning Clubs, which provide a safe and supportive out-of-school learning environment where primary and secondary students can participate in activities that develop their academic skills, such as homework, numeracy and literacy;
iTrack, a program linking high school students with an adult mentor to help them understand how they can reach their career goals.

“We know our evidence-based programs work because we measure the progress of students to ensure they are benefitting,” Mr Taylor said.

“Not only do our programs equip young people with knowledge and skills, but they open their eyes to future study and career opportunities.

“Providing extra support that’s tailored to students’ needs and delivered when they need it, is an effective way to help them keep up with their learning and make the most of their education. This can make a huge difference to their life outcomes.

“It has been such a challenging year for many young Australians, particularly those in the communities where The Smith Family works,” Mr Taylor added.

“We urge the community to donate to our Winter Appeal. Please help us ensure all children in need can make the most of their education and create better futures for themselves.”

For 100 years, The Smith Family has been helping children in need across Australia. To find out more about the charity’s learning and mentoring programs and how you can support its Winter Appeal, go to thesmithfamily.com.au/winter.

EDITOR'S NOTE
The Smith Family Pulse Survey was focused on gathering insights directly from parents and carers about how the pandemic has impacted their child’s school experience. It was open to parents whose children are currently supported through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life education support program, which provides emotional, practical, and financial support to children and young people experiencing disadvantage. The survey was conducted between 1-14 March 2022 and there was a total of 1,164 respondents.

Download b-roll and photography

Media Enquiries:
Naomi Kaplan, Media Advisor | 0411 758 596 | naomi.kaplan@thesmithfamily.com.au
Michael Tarquinio, Acting National Media Manager | 0481 903 439 | michael.tarquinio@thesmithfamily.com.au
Sophie Eaton, Media Advisor | 0447 571 397 | sophie.eaton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Caitlin Dickson, Media Advisor | 0466 955 633 | caitlin.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au