Time spent by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) staff with Wilmot Rd Primary School students each week at the Thursday after-school Learning Club is proving to be a win-win for the school and the CMA.
Time spent by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) staff with Wilmot Rd Primary School students each week at the Thursday after-school Learning Club is proving to be a win-win for the school and the CMA.
Wilmot Rd Primary School principal Jenny Manuel said GV Community Fund CEO Lisa McKenzie had linked the school with local businesses and organisations, such as the Goulburn Broken CMA, that were keen to "give back" to the community.
"Many organisations have a philosophy, or feel they have a civic duty, around local community involvement," Ms Manuel said.
"Linking up with schools is an obvious way to make that connection."
Ms Manuel said Wilmot Rd Primary School had a very diverse, multicultural school population, with about 60 per cent of the students having non- English speaking backgrounds.
"However, the parents are very keen for their children to do well at school – they see education as a priority - and after-school programs like our Learning Club are some of the ways we support our families," Ms Manuel said.
"By having adults come in and volunteer their time to read and speak with the students, they gain valuable one-on-one learning time, see the different ways adults can be involved in their learning and of course share, and pick up on, the adults' enthusiasm and experience. The kids love it."
Goulburn Broken CMA CEO Chris Norman said staff had been attending the Learning Club since the start of Term Two.
"It's been terrific to help the students with their homework and we've also found they're fascinated to learn more about type of work we do such as improving river health for fish and looking after native animals and vegetation," Mr Norman said.
"The students' enthusiasm and curiosity is catchy and rewarding. Goulburn Broken CMA is committed to improving the environmental health of the Catchment and integral to that is supporting the community - in this instance, the next generation - who we rely on to deliver our programs to ensure this region remains productive and resilient."
Pictured: Back row Chris Nicholson and Chris Norman from the Goulburn Broken CMA with students Tewhaia, Marwan, Kunyrieth and Dayena and (front) Ellen, Mubarika, Sajeda, Houra, Tyrone & Amina.