WA’s children’s charity, Variety, launched its school grants program to help thousands of WA school children and their families access back-to-school basics.
The statewide EduKids program, designed to provide financial support to primary and high school students in need, will provide at least 160 grants to schools across the state to the value of $2,500 for high school and $1,500 for primary school.
The program aims to ensure all students are equipped with essential school items including books, stationery, school bags, lunchboxes and uniforms.
“With one in five young people living below the poverty line in WA, we know that education is crucial to breaking the cycle of disadvantage,” Variety CEO Chris Chatterton said.
Mr Chatterton embarked on a five-day roadshow across WA in October, covering 20 schools spanning over 3,150kms, to promote the scheme and award grants to some of WA’s public schools most in need.
The CEO travelled through Perth, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany, Augusta, Bunbury and Rockingham to visit the principals, teachers and students of some of the recipient schools of the program.
Stops included Kellerberrin District High School, South Kalgoorlie Primary School, Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School and Thornlie Senior High School.
Subsequent drives will be held in November, to schools in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Midwest regions.
“I’m delighted to personally visit and see the positive impact that the grants will have on students,” Mr Chatterton said.
“The EduKids Drive for Change helps to achieve the wider Variety WA mission ensuring that all kids receive a fair go.”
In 2023, the program provided almost $300,000 worth of assistance to school kids across WA, delivering access to education and increasing self-esteem, a sense of belonging and learning engagement.
The 2024 EduKids grant program applications, launched on Monday 16 October, are open for all public schools in WA and will close on Friday 10 November.
Alleviating hunger among WA’s school kids
Foodbank WA is working towards alleviating hunger among WA’s school children with its School Breakfast Program.
“It's hard to believe that in a state as rich as Western Australia there are 22,500 students who go to school without breakfast,” Foodbank WA CEO Kate O’Hara told Business News.
The Foodbank WA program provides breakfast foods to over 500 schools from Kalumburu to Esperance to support 22,500 students to start their day with a healthy breakfast.
“Starting the day with a good breakfast helps kids have positive impacts across a range of health, social and educational outcomes including improved academic achievement, concentration, readiness for learning and productivity in classwork as well as reduced absenteeism and behaviour issues,” Ms O’Hara said.
“But more than a breakfast, the School Breakfast Program encourages better social relations with other students, a sense of belonging and safety and improved awareness/management of children’s social issues through forming relationships with staff and volunteers.
“During school years, young people develop habits which carry through to adulthood. School breakfast programs like ours provide opportunities to model healthy food selection and eating behaviours to children who may not be seeing this at home.”
By Hearts and Minds
