Ardoch is a not-for-profit organisation working to make education a reality for young people including those experiencing disadvantage who might otherwise be denied educational opportunities.   This is being achieved by working with early childhood centres, primary and secondary schools to encourage relevant educational, enrichment and support programs for students. 

School-based support programs are set up to ensure that all students are able to fully participate in activities and increase their short-term and long-term learning opportunities.  Links developed with the local community provide further support to the school through the provision of volunteers, donations, services, opportunities and funding for programs.

About the partnership project with St Kilda Primary School…
Ardoch and St Kilda Primary School have been working together since July 1998 to make education a reality for all students.  Eva Thieberger (Ardoch Project Coordinator) currently works at the school on Mondays and Thursday’s, running a range of programs.

Examples of ARDOCH Programs at St Kilda Primary School…

• Tutor /Mentor Program and In-Class Support: Teachers and parents can request an Ardoch volunteer to offer academic and/or social support to an individual or small group of students.  St Kilda Primary School currently has over 10 Ardoch volunteers who have been recruited and trained at the Ardoch Education Centre.  Eva manages and supports the team of Ardoch volunteers at the school site.  Eva attends welfare support meetings with Di Pekin, Dereck Croft and teachers.

• Mentor Program: This program links children and young people with an adult volunteer who provides support, guidance and friendship.  Mentors who have been chosen for this program are currently Ardoch volunteers and have received additional training for this specialised role through the Ardoch Education Support Centre.

• Peer Mediation Program: This training is conducted by the Ardoch Coordinator over several weeks with grade 6 students.  This program provides students with skills to diffuse conflicts in the schoolyard, promoting the intellectual and social development of students.

• Student Leadership Program: This training is conducted throughout the year by Eva and the grade 5/6 teachers, to senior students.  The aim of this program is for students to learn about various leadership skills and qualities, to enable them to be role models for others.

• Lunchtime Clubs: All lunchtime clubs are run by Ardoch volunteers.  Besides providing enjoyment for all students and preventing anti-social schoolyard behaviour, these lunchtime clubs provide opportunities for students to become engaged in meaningful, structured activities with other peers.  At St Kilda Primary School, we have activities such as a choir, dance/drama club, a senior drama club, a board games club and an art club. 

• Art Therapy: This program is funded through Ardoch, providing students who have been referred by the school the opportunity to explore their ‘inner selves’ through a creative medium (i.e. art, music, drama). 

• Literary Buddies Program: Run in association with Clayton Utz, this is a successful Ardoch pen pals program which involves students from grades 5 and 6.  Letters are exchanged fortnightly and ‘buddies’ meet twice a year.  This program enables students to develop their literary skills in an enjoyable and meaningful way, with corporate ‘buddies’ acting as a positive role model for them.

• Events/ Activities involving Corporations: Ardoch work with key corporations including Clayton Utz and GE, to develop events and activities which directly benefit the students at St Kilda Primary School.  This would involve staff from these corporations coming out to the school on numerous occasions to run or participate in activities with the children.  In 2005, we are fortunate to have Clayton Utz running literacy-based lunchtime activities at least once a month at the school. 

• Swap Shop: Second-hand clothing and uniform store managed by Evelyn (Ardoch).  Parents, teachers and children have access to the store at all times and any small change generated from the sale of goods is then channelled back into the school to fund other programs. Fruit is provided for children to help themselves to. 

• Family support and referral/ welfare: Ardoch provide support and advocacy for a number of families at St Kilda Primary School eg: camp/excursion subsidies, connections with other agencies, short term assistance bringing children to school.