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When asked how he learned to build rockets , future-thinker and technology entrepreneur Elon Musk said three simple words : ‘ I read books .’ excelling in their reading abilities through sessions with fellow students in older year levels . Over 18 weeks the Smith Family reading program has consistently been shown to help students catch up on their reading abilities , making them well placed for their journeys through life .
LACHLAN MCMURTRIE ( YEAR 11 )
Facilitating my reading buddy ’ s progress was an incredibly rewarding experience . The S2S reading program , which took place several times throughout the week , enabled me to develop a strong bond with the reader over the several months we read together . This connection granted me the opportunity to gain a perspective into another child ’ s life , and the struggles they experience when trying to learn .
Getting to know my reader and their hardships , not only allowed me to support them , but also reinforced in my mind how fortunate I am to be attending Scotch College .
Attentively fostering their growth and watching their confidence blossom was a rewarding personal adventure . It was an adventure that , while obviously benefiting my reader substantially , also taught me several valuable lessons and messages . Seeing my reader develop not only as a reader , but as a young person in this world , was fulfilling .
Ultimately , the program is not simply reading ; it ’ s the development of a personal connection , it ’ s an opportunity to provide guidance to a struggling young person , and it ’ s a lesson in gratitude .
‘ Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all ’ – Aristotle
CHRISTOPHER O ’ CONNELL ( YEAR 10 )
One of the most gratifying aspects of the Smith Family S2S Reading Program is the opportunity to witness your reader getting more confident and enthusiastic about reading . Each session one uses the teaching techniques provided by the Smith Family to encourage the reader when they reach difficult sections , and congratulate them when they navigate through it and improve .
Soon the reader realises that reading lengthy books and complicated prose is doable . When they realise this , they gain significant confidence . It truly is a special experience to help other people who are in circumstances different to your own . I have found that that the program is not only highly beneficial for the readers , but giving back is also extremely rewarding for us too .
GEVIN KANKANAMALAGE ( YEAR 8 ) The S2S program was an extremely enjoyable and meaningful program for me . Over time , the buddy and student develop a strong relationship with each other , and they begin to see us as their friend , rather than a mentor . This connection that is made allows the student to arrive at every lesson happy and excited to read . Even some students who were at first very unwilling to read , begin to love reading books and thus improving their skills .
I thought that the bond I had with my buddy allowed us to easily navigate through books in the lesson , and it made learning a more entertaining activity , rather than a burden . With the many weeks of lessons I had with my buddy , our friendship only grew stronger , and with that , I could see a notable improvement in his reading . Soon our meetings seemed like a catch-up between two friends . Overall , the Student 2 Student program is an excellent activity that allowed me to improve the reading of a younger child , who was currently well behind his friends .
Boys who are interested in participating in the Year 11 Extension Studies Immersion Service Learning Program are encouraged to contact the Extension Studies Coordinator , Ms Michele Linossier , in Scotch ’ s Centre for Learning . www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 29