For Schools

Where we work

Ardoch works alongside schools with an ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage) value below 1000. We deliver programs in Melbourne’s north, west and southeast and have expanded to Sydney’s west, as well as Brisbane, Perth and regional Victoria.

Our programs

Our programs are designed to help meet curriculum requirements and the FISO/NSW Wellbeing Framework.

We work closely with schools to deliver programs that address the needs of students, understanding that such needs may vary significantly between the communities we work with.

Education Volunteers

Ardoch’s Education Volunteers are placed in primary and secondary school classrooms and provide one-on-one or group literacy support.

Through targeted reading, writing and language exercises, our volunteers aim to help improve children’s confidence, engagement and interaction with literacy. Education Volunteers commit two hours a week for at least six months to the partner school they are matched to. We provide our volunteers with ongoing support and training to help them have the greatest possible impact in the classroom.

All Ardoch volunteers are screened, and trained.

Writer in Residence

Published authors deliver book-writing workshops to students at our partner primary schools. Children develop skills in writing, composition, and individual expression through creativity.

The weekly workshops extend over seven weeks during which the writer helps the children identify story ideas, build characters, pen their stories, edit them, create illustrations and put a story book together, or anthology of student works, which is then published and distributed to each child. The program aims to enhance students’ literacy and language skills, build confidence in their own voice, and enhance their aspirations for creativity, story-telling and writing.

Artist in Residence

Ardoch’s Artist in Residence (wellbeing) program sees artist delivering workshops to foster students’ wellbeing, creativity and self-care. The weekly workshops extend over six weeks with the artist helping students develop their ideas and creativity, culminating in special pieces for them to share.

At the end of the program, the Artist will facilitate an exhibition to celebrate the students’ work.

Robots in Residence

Ardoch’s Robotics in Residence program is a six-week program for a whole class of students, who work in small groups. A team of three (one facilitator and three volunteers) works with students to help develop their knowledge, confidence and enthusiasm. The program is generally for students in grades 5-6 and currently focuses on robotics and coding.

The program’s benefits are not just science and technology related. There has been a noticeable affect on students collaboration skills as well as their confidence to try new things and an increased self-belief in what they can achieve.

Literacy Buddies^®

Classes of primary school students (little buddies) are matched with workplace volunteers (big buddies) to improve literacy and inspire learning through the art of letter writing.

The Buddies exchange letters throughout the school year and visit each other twice, once at the school and once at the workplace. The program gives the children a real-life context in which to practice their writing and composition skills. The program also aims to build the aspirations of the children by bringing them into contact with successful working role models in a range of professions and jobs.

Numeracy Buddies

Classes of primary school students (little buddies) are matched with workplace volunteers (big buddies) from STEM fields and work together to solve maths problems through an online blog.

The Buddies blog every few weeks and meet once at the students’ school and once at the Big Buddies’ workplace The program helps children improve their maths skills by encouraging them to verbalise key concepts, and by building an understanding of how maths is used in different jobs and workplaces, making maths an interactive and fun activity. It also builds students’ aspirations by introducing them to positive working role models in various industries and professions.

Robotics

Age-appropriate robotics kits and tech boxes are provided to partner schools, enabling students opportunities to learn coding, engineering and problem-solving in an applied context.

Robotics equipment is unattainable for many schools. Ardoch recognises the importance of STEM education for future jobs and provides an opportunity for students at our partner schools to learn about coding and engineering. The program encourages students to engage in teamwork and improve their collaboration skills. We also assist teachers to undertake professional development to improve their confidence in using the kits and support student learning.

Life Starts

The Life Starts program supports students transitioning from primary to secondary school, by enhancing their confidence, wellbeing, social skills, and engagement in learning.  Over four weeks the program will cover identifying values and setting goals, developing a growth mindset, building self-awareness and identifying strengths and learning emotional regulations strategies and stress management techniques.

Program design has been informed by evidence around life skills programs, social and emotional learning (SEL) strategies, and resilience building initiatives, and consultation with Ardoch’s Youth Advisory Group.  

Project Magnify

Project Magnify is designed to “magnify” students’ interest in STEM industries and venues have included Scienceworks, Powerhouse Museum and Moorabbin Air Museum. Speakers have been pilots, engineers, forensic scientists, palaeontologists, and rocket scientists. Students also undertake an engaging STEM activity to stimulate their interest further.

The program allows students to see beyond the surface of careers in STEM. Speakers present to students about their different roles, responsibilities, career pathways and exciting aspects of their job stimulating student aspirations.

Pathways Beyond School – Learning through lunch

Hospitality industry visits that involve a class of students attending a two-course fine dining experience and spending quality time with professional volunteers who share their career stories and life experiences.

Students and volunteers dine together with students asking questions of their mentors, who provide tips and advice on career options. Learning Through Lunch is often combined with Ardoch’s You-niversity program.

Pathways Beyond School – You-niversity

Partner universities invite students to visit a campus where they can meet the academics, hear from university students, participate in activities related to university life and take a tour.

This program aims to strengthen the links between higher education and students’ current schooling, building and supporting aspirations to undertake further study after high school. This can be especially important for students coming from families where no-one has attended university.

Pathways Beyond School – Industry Visits

Students get to visit industry workplaces to learn about the skills and training required in sectors with future employment growth. Industries they visit and learn about include retail, hospitality, technology, automotive and the health sector.

Pathways Beyond School – Speed Careers

Secondary and senior primary school students are connected with a variety of professionals to increase students’ awareness and understanding of the range of study and career pathways available to them.

During Speed Careers sessions, students rotate in groups to hear from each speaker, learning about careers in areas such as law, policing and engineering. The program supports students to imagine life beyond school and to engage with successful role models.

Pathways Beyond School – Mock interviews

In preparation for the competitive job market, young people participate in formal interview simulations with professional volunteer mentors, helping to build their communications skills, agility and confidence when interviewing for jobs.

Students receive helpful advice and can practice and build interview techniques that are crucial to securing employment, as well as encouraging them to consider their short and longer-term work options.

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