Helen Marotta Ivanhoe Grammar School - Leader photo

Dear Ande ( and the gang)

Just wanted to share with you the lovely off-shoot of last year’s (InSchool) Philanthropic Program.

(Through our InSchool Philanthropy programme in 2010) We donated half of our money to Olympic Village Primary School to send some students on school camp and half to the School at the Austin Hospital.

Totally separate to this our sport department collected the Coles Sports Vouchers and out of the blue I had a call that we had a huge bag of sports equipment,  would I like to donate it to Olympic Village Primary School?

So we arranged to hand it over at an OVP assembly.

Everyone there was so delighted, and when we opened the sports bag to show them, the whole room gasped with wonder and delight. (Clare Read) the acting principal commented on how lucky they were that we had forged a ‘relationship’ with them.

In the car on the way back to school, one of my students commented that we didn’t really ‘have an ongoing relationship’ we were just donating things like to a charity.

I felt the same and immediately decided we needed to do something more than donating $$$. What about time? And talent?

I run the Year 9 Out-of-classroom learning programs at Ivanhoe Grammar so have a number of programs operating and am always looking for more.

Playing a physical game in the InSchool Philanthropy session

So I rang Libby Young (principal of OVP) and told her I had the possibility of having 10 year 9 students available every Thursday afternoon, “if” they had anything they would like us to do..

She was delighted.

So it began last week and now for the next year, ten year 9 students are teaching and coaching sport, playing games, helping with reading, assisting kids to type their work, and pretty much doing anything the school needs with the Grade 1 students and they LOVE it.

Especially the year 9 boy reading to the littl’ies in the reading corner when the boy touched his leg and said “ you have a lot more hairs on your legs than I do. Why?” and he very calmly and casually gave an explanation about what happens to your body ‘when you grow up.’

Yep! Warm and fuzzy and we love it. So thank you East Ivanhoe and Heidelberg Community branch of Bendigo Bank!

Helen Marotta                                                                                                                                                                                                          Year 9 Learning Facilitator                                                                                                                                                                             Ivanhoe Grammar School

What is InSchool Philanthropy?

Spending a term in a school with groups of 5-44 participants, the InSchool Philanthropy programme is a hands-on, real world, arts-based learning programme teaching and facilitating children and young people to become local philanthropists.

Learning first principles of philanthropy; community; values;  community partnerships; fundraising through grants, formal presentations and Elevator Pitches the students develop their own values-aligned community projects in partnership with a community group or charity.

Grants for community projects and funding for the training programme are provided by each locale’s  Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank – an Australian community philanthropic banking model.

So far the results are thrilling with participants from schools, community and banks abuzz with the outcomes.

Who participated?

• 5 schools
• 113 students aged 10-15 years
• 12 teachers
• 5 principals
• 13 community members/carers
• 4 community bank directors
• 3 community bank managers
• 2 community bank staff

What Are The Outcomes?

• 25+ local philanthropic projects were developed.
• 9 local philanthropic projects were realised.
• 7 local philanthropic projects were funded.
• 2 projects required no funding as they required time and talent, no treasure.
• 20+ charities and community groups were contacted by participating students in the process of selecting their community partners.

What Are People Saying About InSchool Philanthropy?

‘The children have had a very rich experience. They really treasured the way you took them seriously and were so present and spontaneous with them.’ Cheryl McCashney, Principal, Alphington Primary School.

‘One mother was so moved after the project presentation that she cried when she spoke about  seeing the kids step up and care for others.’  Tia Mohamed, Parent Representative, Alphington Primary School Council.

‘The power of this programme is that the lights go on! For boards, staff, schools, kids and community.’ Ashdon Capp, Regional Manager, Bendigo Bank

‘Sitting in on the class session I thought “Wow! We never did stuff like this at school.” And I felt better about myself because I could understand what I give.’ Aisling Callaghan, Community Volunteer Director, Clifroy Community Bank branch of Bendigo Bank.

‘I learnt I’ve got a big brain. I’m not one of those kids that (miming looking keen in class), you know I’m more (miming being drowsy and bored), I’m more a sporty kid. But philanthropy (tapping his head) turned me on. Joseph, grade 5 student, St John’s Primary School Heidelberg.