NEWS
‘ GIVING BACK IS EXTREMELY REWARDING FOR US ’
An Extension Studies Immersion enriches Scotch students and buddies alike
SCREENSHOTS OF THE WEBSITE USED IN THE SMITH FAMILY ’ S S2S PROGRAM
A Year 11 Extension Studies Immersion Service Learning Program has been introduced this year at Scotch , which creates learning partnerships between Scotch and less advantaged primary schools , to provide extension and enrichment opportunities to gifted and talented primary-aged students in need .
Several Scotch boys in Years 7-10 expressed a strong interest in service learning opportunities for their year levels , and this led to the introduction of the highly effective Smith Family Student to Student ( S2S ) Reading Program : https :// www . thesmithfamily . com . au / programs / literacy / student-2-studentprogram Sixteen Scotch boys from Years 8-12 actively committed to the 18-week , two-sessions-a-week buddy reader experience .
Here are the impressions of five of the program participants .
JUSTIN CHAN ( YEAR 9 ) S2S gives the boys an extraordinary opportunity to help younger children who have less access to opportunities in their
learning environment , aimed at improving their reading level .
In the S2S program , I was assigned an eight-year-old buddy . Throughout the many enjoyable weeks of reading , it was such a pleasure to see that with a little bit of help , my buddy ’ s understanding , speed and reading techniques improved enormously . All in all , we have read over 35 books to date and continuing ! This program has not only benefited our buddies – it has also benefited us .
This was an opportunity for those who participated to take on the role of a leader and a teacher , to help guide our little buddies . Just like our teachers , it was very rewarding to watch our buddies ’ reading progress improve every week , as they continued to achieve a deeper understanding and appreciation of each book .
I strongly recommend the S2S program to all boys , as it certainly gave me a sense of fulfilment to be able to contribute back to our wider community .
‘ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world ’ – Nelson Mandela
RONAN AHL ( YEAR 10 )
Reading : it ’ s a skill which at first sight may be tedious for some and enthralling for others . But regardless of whether or not one enjoys reading , it is objectively one of the most useful skills which we take for granted . Whether it be expressing your opinions , exploring the vast complexities of the world around us , or even just socialising with friends , reading provides a lens through which we can dictate our world view . As a result , students who fall behind in their literacy rates have been shown to have lower self-esteem , and experience feelings of helplessness in social situations .
The Smith Family ’ s S2S reading program aims to help young readers work towards
28 Great Scot Issue 163 – September 2021