In
2001 after significant research and development by the Student
Achievement Centre and John S Cheetham, the Victorian Certificate of
Education (VCE) Support Pilot Program was initiated. Funded by the DOXA
Youth Foundation the first intake of ten students commenced in 2002.
The program was developed to fill a great need in the community
offering encouragement and support to talented but disadvantaged young
people, to enable them to complete their secondary school
education.
The
students embraced the benefits of the two-year program and achieved
many successes. All students completed their VCE and proceeded on to
university studies.
In 2004 the
newly formed Skyline Education Foundation, founded by John Cheetham in
memory of his late father Joseph, took over the running of the VCE
Program. Renamed Skyline Education Foundation Australia (SEFA) in 2006,
the program continued its work supporting talented young people in
government schools and the community.
John
Cheetham was the honorary Program Manager until his death in March
2009. His belief in the importance of education, coupled with his
insight, energy and passion has resulted in 45 participants completing
their VCE successfully to date and receiving tertiary offers. In 2010,
25 young people are taking part in the SEFA VCE Bursary Program.
In
time, with continued funding and support, many more talented but
disadvantaged young people will be given the opportunity to
successfully complete their secondary schooling and progress to
tertiary studies through the support of SEFA.
Skyline's
purpose
To remove the
financial burden of education from these
students and their families so that they are
not unnecessarily hindered in their desire to
achieve.
What Skyline
does to make a difference?
Meets
the costs associated with education,
including:
- Fees and levies,
compulsory excursion charges
- Textbooks and necessary
materials with which to learn
- Private tuition for
students to support and mentor them in
times of difficulty
Provides a support
structure for students to encourage personal
development by:
- Working closely with the
students school and a nominated staff
member, who becomes the student's companion
teacher
- Providing students with
vocational guidance
- Facilitating a social
network for students so that they can mix,
socialize and draw strength from others in
similar circumstances
- Providing a personal
development workshop and residential camp
which assists students to understand
themselves and to develop their motivation
and tenacity
Our Board Members
- Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE (Chairman)
- Beverley Brock
- Sam Butcher
- Sarah Cheetham
- Katrina Reynen
- Heather Le Roy
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