As part of our engagement with the Flemington & Kensington community, we have been proud to learn about some of the great programs provided by Kensington Neighbourhood House. This year we are proud to be a sponsors of the Study Support Program established in response to the needs of African-Australian families living on the Kensington public housing estate.
There are currently 56 children enrolled in the program from 19 families. Nearly all participants are from Somali backgrounds with an almost equal number of boys (55%) and girls (45%) attending. The Study Support Program is for all school-aged children from Prep onward and is currently supported by 25 volunteers, many of whom live in the Kensington or local area, which strengthens the sense of community and gives the children a sense of belonging.
While many homework clubs are age/grade specific, which is unhelpful for families with multiple children, this program is for all school- aged children so the whole family can attend. Running the Study Support program from the Kensington Estate also means easy access for families as being place-based rather than school-based maximises inclusivity and encourages regular attendance.
In recognition of their standard of excellence, the program has been a Finalist in the Centre For Multicultural Youth MY Education Awards in 2019, 2021 and 2022 – “Outstanding Out of School Hours Learning Support Program” category.
To learn more about the Kensington Neighbourhood House – https://www.kensingtonneighbourhoodhouse.com/
