OPTUS GRANTS PORT LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL A SMART NEW START

Optus grant funds digital SMART Board for Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre

Eyre Futures Inc. and Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre will celebrate the success of their digital SMART Board this Wednesday 13 March, with $9,942 in funding from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program. The SMART Board equips teachers with access to online activities for Maths, Science and English, allowing students to interact with images and text using digital ink, and print off study notes.

Eyre Futures Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation focused on empowering youth in the Eyre Peninsular region through community partnerships that improve youth outcomes in education, training and employment. The Optus funding was used to purchase the SMART Board including an interactive whiteboard, computer, projector and software for students to use in class and via distance education.

Jill Coates, Manager of Eyre Futures Inc., said, “Some children in the Community Learning Centre come from challenging circumstances and face multiple barriers to learning. The ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program is helping us to engage these students with online learning and encourages them to come to the Centre. Since the introduction of the SMART Board our students are becoming more confident in the classroom and enhancing their learning experience via technology.”

Helen Maisano, Optus Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility said, “We are delighted the SMART Board is helping Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre students reap the benefits of technology and become more engaged in their education. Optus sees a real community benefit in investing in Eyre Futures Inc. which helps empower disengaged students reconnect with their learning and reach their full potential in life.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help to build social inclusion and reconnect disengaged youth in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Jill Coates, Manager of Eyre Futures, Tony Green, principal of Port Lincoln High School, teachers and school children, will be at the Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre next Wednesday to talk about the success of the ‘SMART Board’ project.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Wednesday 13 March, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre (PLHS CLC), 30 Edinburgh Street Port Lincoln SA
WHY: A chance to interview school children who are using the SMART Board and assess its progress
ATTENDING: Jill Coates, Manager of Eyre Futures Inc., Tony Green, Principal of Port Lincoln High School, teachers, school children and Sam Dermody, ‘yes’ Optus Port Lincoln Store Manager.

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit www.optus.com.au/shop/aboutoptus/communitygrants

Media contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505