Improved school attendance and access to crucial support programs for vulnerable students are among the benefits that Variety Sunshine Coaches will offer two primary schools in the Hunter region.
Variety – the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT grants Sunshine Coaches to schools and community organisations that support children living with a disability, chronic illness, financial hardship or geographic isolation.
Raymond Terrace Public School will today receive a 22-seater Mitsubishi Rosa valued at $159,469 while Biraban Public School will take the keys to a 25-seater version worth $184,517.
Raymond Terrace Public School Principal, Salena Langholz, said their coach will be a vital resource offering equitable access for their students.
“Our new Variety Sunshine Coach will allow us to create so many amazing opportunities for our students and for us to offer ‘out of the box’ learning experiences that are meaningful and authentic,” she said.
“It will enable us to provide reliable transport and continue our initiative to collect students each morning and help to improve attendance.”
“The coach will make a big difference not only for transporting our sporting, cultural and academic teams to events but also for our support classes who will be able to access the coach to travel together to educational activities and community-based learning opportunities within our area.”
Birban Public School Principal, Allison Pattison, said their local community also needed support to boost attendance and improve access to crucial support programs.
“Parents are keeping students home from significant events, learning opportunities and social interactions because they simply cannot afford the cost,” she said.
“The Sunshine Coach will help to ease the financial strain on local families while also enabling our students to participate in community events and activities that will help to develop their skills for life.”
Variety NSW/ACT CEO, Tony Warner, said the program supports the delivery of Variety’s mission to ensure all children have the same opportunities in life.
“Variety Sunshine Coaches provide transport for children to access their community and experience a range of special programs and activities they would be otherwise unable to attend,” he said.
“Since Variety Australia was founded in 1975, the Variety Sunshine Coach program has granted over 1300 coaches to schools and community organisations across the country.”
“The program is vital to our vision for all Australian children to reach their full potential, regardless of ability or background.”
To find out more, visit https://www.variety.org.au/nsw/programs/sunshine-coaches/
MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Van Doninck, Variety Communications Manager – 0402 851 475 or [email protected].
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