Dedicated students from West Moreton Anglican College united in a Student2Student Program, volunteering their time over an 18 week period.

The Smith Family Student2Student Program matches students with peer buddies who volunteer to encourage students in Years 3 to 8 with reading.

Each student and buddy receives the same book pack from The Smith Family. The reading buddy telephones the student each week and listens to the student read their book.

Students Jessi Nicholls, Henry Bischoff, Aislynne Boland and Emilie Bauer didn’t predict the strong affect that this program would have on their lives. After just a few months they found the experience equally fulfilling.

Aislynne Boland said it was rewarding to spend time with her buddy, offering them praise and encouragement.“It has been extremely humbling to hear that our readers improved thanks to the program,” said Aislynne. “I would highly recommend this program to my peers and would do it again.”

“It was gratifying to build a relationship with a young reader and to know I was making a difference,” added Henry Bischoff.

Each Year Optus and The Smith Family support over 700 disadvantaged student readers across Australia through this motivating initiative.