Support Programs

Through working together with early childhood centres and schools, the Ardoch Support Projects have the potential to make substantial concrete and lasting changes to the lives of young people and their families. We aim to achieve this via a selection of programs.

Breakfast Club

Ardoch Breakfast Clubs offer students a safe and welcoming environment in which they can eat nutritious food and interact with peers and adult role models. It is a venture, which encourages a supportive school environment and addresses nutritional needs as well as giving options for those students who have social and emotional needs. Food and resources are all community donated and the club is run by community volunteers and a dedicated Breakfast Club Coordinator.

Basic Needs Program

This program provides food, clothing, toiletries, blankets etc. to students and families from the school base. It encourages a giving environment where people have access to items which relieve their immediate needs. In addition to provision of materials, the program assists and educates school staff and volunteers to facilitate access to the items.

Community Participation Program

This program offers opportunities for members of the community to be involved in helping to make education a reality for all. It invites individuals, families, businesses, tertiary institutions, secondary schools, community organisations and government to be actively involved in education and support for all young people. The community can be involved by donating time, expertise, resources or funds.

Lunch Time Activities Program

This program provides worthwhile activities for students to participate in during their lunch time. The activities are facilitated by volunteers. The activities are held in a safe environment, at no cost and are open to the whole school.

Parent Participation Program

This program offers opportunities for family members to be involved in activities at the school. Families are welcomed to participate in educational and social activities, in and out of the classroom, with and without the students.

Social Skills Program

Ardoch believes that the ability to act appropriately within the socially accepted norms of society is an imperative life skill. Ardoch's Social Skills program encourages children to respect themselves, respect others and get along well in society. Overall this will lead to a more harmonious environment where everybody treats each other with kindness and compassion.

Volunteer Support/ Tutor Mentor Program

This program offers support to students in the form of social and/or academic assistance. The program involves volunteers as positive role models to work with students who have been identified as needing assistance or extension with their schoolwork, or who might need a special friend. The program operates within the school base, with volunteers and students working in and out of the classroom.

Virtues Program

The Virtues workshops are usually presented over two sessions for Ardoch volunteers and teaching staff. It aims to enhance our interaction with children in our role as mentors to them and provides a framework of positive values and language.

"Children are born into potential. Their natural qualities can develop into positive or negative traits depending on how they are educated in the early years. The Virtues project is based on the concept that a child is a spiritual being who was brought into this world to grow in body, mind and spirit. The Virtues project provides programs and materials from a multi-faith, multi-cultural perspective. The Virtues program honours sacred religions, but is designed to be helpful and accessible to all people, religious or not. It is an approach to brining out the best in every child."

Each day of living with children brings fresh opportunities for guiding them at "teachable moments" which quickly pass and may never come again. The Virtues provide a framework and a language for making the most of these moments and helping children to set spiritual goals."

Literary Buddies

The Literary Buddies Program is an initiative of Ardoch Youth Foundation to address the need within schools for students to be inspired to improve their literary skills. Ardoch recognises that not everyone is able to leave the office or home to volunteer their time in schools and the Literary Buddies Program addresses this issue whilst still reaching our aim of maximising learning opportunities and support for all students.

In becoming a Literary Buddy, a Corporate Staff member can enrich the life and further the education of a child. They may influence their buddy in more ways than you can imagine, and the process of exchanging letters and forming 'penpal friendships' is enjoyable for both parties. The Literary Buddies Program assists students in a number of ways:

- Letter writing provides an enjoyable activity whereby children are able to practice their writing skills and enhance their literacy skills.

- Corporates can provide a positive role model in the life of a young person and help to build resiliency.

- Involvement provides positive school experiences, which reduce the risk of early school leaving.

Q. How can you help?

A. Register your interest in becoming an Ardoch Volunteer or email volunteers@ardoch.asn.au

For more information about specific programs and how to incorporate them into your school, email training@ardoch.asn.au.