Boost to education access

The University of Adelaide and children's charity The Smith Family are working together to improve educational outcomes within South Australia's disadvantaged communities.

The new partnership is initially focusing on Adelaide's far northern suburbs, Elizabeth Vale and Smithfield Plains and the wider Playford area.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha said the partnership would benefit disadvantaged children through the direct interaction and support of University of Adelaide staff and students, and provide new opportunities for them to connect with the University's campuses and learning environment.

"The University of Adelaide is proud of its strong track record in attracting and encouraging students from under-represented schools and communities with our 20-year-old pioneering Fairway Scheme and other access and participation projects," said Professor James McWha.

"We've had a highly valued relationship with The Smith Family over a number of years. This new agreement will help us have some real impact on disadvantaged communities, not only directly benefiting children within these communities but also shining new light on the opportunities that become available through participation in higher education."

Under the agreement, second-year Oral Health students from the School of Dentistry have been helping deliver the Food 4 Smiling program in the northern suburbs, aimed at improving oral health of children under five.

Ten students have been working in pairs to present good oral health messages to parents, carers and professionals working with young children, with the focus on prevention, healthy eating and lifestyles.

The Smith Family Chief Executive Officer Dr Lisa O'Brien said: "This partnership will engage more disadvantaged students and their families in a range of learning support programs to help them build their capacity to access and make the most of opportunities."

The partnership will:

• support a Smith Family Learning for Life Worker within Elizabeth Vale and Smithfield Plains to help connect students to learning opportunities, using University of Adelaide resources and academic and student support;
  
• deliver educational and support programs from pre-school to adult education, including learning clubs, mentoring, digital literacy, employment skills and health and wellbeing programs;
  
• connect disadvantaged children and communities to the University of Adelaide's campuses and learning environments through a range of programs and outreach activities, and through access to University resources and facilities and interaction with staff and students.

Story by Robyn Mills