Student2Student

The Smith Family’s Student2Student peer support program is an 18-week, digital, peer-to-peer initiative matching students with reading difficulties to trained “buddies” (usually older students). It improves reading skills and confidence via 20-minute phone sessions, 2-3 times a week, helping students achieve better engagement and improved reading age.

Fort Street has been partnering with the Smith Family for several years, making an enormous difference to the future of hundreds of children. Last year 34 of our students participated in this program, and their help was greatly appreciated by the readers and their families.

The organisational and leadership skills developed by S2S volunteers is another facet of this wonderful program, as is acknowledged by the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, for which this is an excellent service opportunity.

We are excited to see a rising number of volunteers for the program this year. Any other interested students should email me at elizabeth.maddox@det.nsw.edu.au

Elizabeth Maddox