Handing kids the keys to success at school

Posted on 27 Jan 2025

By Greg Thom, journalist, Institute of Community Directors Australia

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Breeanne and daughter Brooklyn, 13.

Every Australian child deserves access to education, but for some kids, the road is tough. Financially struggling mum Breeanne and her 13-year-old daughter Brooklyn reflect on what a difference a little bit of help can make.

January can be a financially difficult time of year for families, with the added costs of back-to-school items.

Research by children’s charity The Smith Family has revealed that nine out of ten parents and carers of students the charity supports are worried they will not be able to afford all the items their children need for school this year.

Now in its 12th year, Officeworks’ annual Back to School Appeal, carried out in partnership with The Smith Family, aims to help bridge the gap for families in poverty by raising funds to provide essential school supplies to children in need.

Brooklyn, aged 13, is just one of the many children who have been supported through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.

An enthusiastic Year 7 student who loves learning, Brooklyn hopes to become a teacher one day – her favourite subjects are maths and art.

However, Brooklyn’s mum, Breeanne, has struggled to support her family. It’s been challenging to provide the basics, let alone the things her children need for school. We asked her how Learning for Life has made a difference.

What were some of the educational and financial challenges you faced before you had access to the Learning for Life program?

Breeanne

We are a big family in a small house. There’s seven of us: my partner and me, and then five children, so I’m always running around after one child or another.

Before we started receiving The Smith Family funding, I had just separated from Brooklyn’s father. Life was tough. I was juggling all the bills by myself.

I was trying to work out what was more important. Do I put petrol in the car, or do I get food? How do you choose? It’s really hard to prioritise – everything’s important when you’ve got little kids.

I felt like they were going without, and it really upset me that I couldn’t give them the best. As a mum, you just want the best for your kids.

I didn’t have a great education myself because I lost my mum when I was young, so it wasn’t a huge priority for me, and it's made my life a lot harder. I feel like if I’d had a better education, my life would be different.

I think a good education is important because then you have the chance to do whatever you want to do and better your life. You get the chance to follow your dreams.

It’s reassuring that Brooklyn’s going to have that chance. She will be set up for life.

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Breeanne is grateful for the difference The Smith Family's Learning for Life program has made in her daughter Brooklyn's education.
"Having someone support Brooklyn’s education means a lot."

Donations can be made to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program through Officeworks’ annual Back to School Appeal in all Officeworks stores or online until February 9.


What difference has the Learning for Life program made to you and your family?

Breeanne

As well as providing financial support to pay for school supplies, The Smith Family’s core program, Learning for Life, gives us access to additional learning programs to help with their studies, and personal support.

Having someone support Brooklyn’s education means a lot. It takes a lot of stress off me, knowing I’ve got someone I can call and say, “Hey, she’s struggling in this, what can we do?”, and The Smith Family will come up with a plan to help. There’s always someone there to fall back on who will help me help her.

And I don’t know where to start with the financial support! It really helps, especially having four kids at school. It helps with buying uniforms, new shoes, new books. Shoes are expensive, and they go through them so fast!

Brooklyn’s taken to high school like a duck to water. She really fits in. She’s made lots of new friends, and I can see her going far.

I feel like it would have been a different situation if she didn’t have everything she needed. If she didn’t have the correct uniform, she’d stick out. Or, if she didn’t have the right books, it’d be embarrassing for her to go to class and say, “Sorry, I don’t have that.” It would’ve been a lot harder for her to settle in.

It’s nice to see Brooklyn with everything she needs to be her true self and fit in.

Brooklyn

My first year at high school has been really good. I’ve got a lot of new friends, and I’m doing really well at my work.

My favourite subject is art because I can express my creativity and it’s a lot of fun. Art is amazing! I want to get better at it, and when I finish school, I want to be an art teacher. I like helping my siblings with their work.

I think The Smith Family has taken a lot of stress off my mum and stepdad. It helps us get school uniforms and school shoes, which really helps, and it helps us pay for camp and excursions. I’m going to camp soon, and if I didn’t get to go, I think I would feel really left out.

One of the things I’m most proud of myself for is I’m a good learner, and I love learning. Having the things that I need to be able to learn is really important for my future. A lot of people have helped me in my life, so I want to help people when I grow up.

Thank you to all the supporters of The Smith Family because you are helping me become a teacher.

Why should other families support Learning for Life by donating during the Back-to-School Appeal?

Breeanne

I’d like to say to someone that’s thinking about supporting The Smith Family that it can really make a difference. We had nothing, and now Brooklyn’s education is bright.

Brooklyn can be anything she wants to be – she’s so smart. I’m so proud of her.

More information

Disadvantaged families struggling to pay for education essentials

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