Over the past six years, four women have taken on the daunting task to design, write, trial and publish a Nationally Accredited Skills Development program in Volunteer Literacy Tutoring at Secondary School Level.

The original team of four - – three educators and Rotarian Carol Gorton – personally funded the $500 required to commence the first stage of accreditation for the program with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and were successful at stage one but, unfortunately, they did not have sufficient funds to progress to full Accreditation.

Rotarian Carol Gorton’s determination led her to apply to the Scanlon Foundation for funding that would cover the costs of Accreditation, assist with purchasing resources and the delivery of the course in Rockhampton and Yeppoon. Carol was successful, and with the support of Rotary Club of Capricorn Coast and RAWCS, the Scanlon Foundation’s grant was carefully managed and funding was approved in accordance with the stipulated terms.

10920NAT - Course in Volunteer Literacy Tutoring at Secondary School Level

The first two courses have now been successfully run in Rockhampton and Yeppoon for teachers, students and community members with the Scanlon Foundation funding helping to provide resources for participants.

Comments from participants:

A senior secondary teacher at North Rockhampton State High School wrote: “This is a wonderful course, I have learned so much. The whole experience was beyond my expectation. How fortunate I am to know these four talented women along with the brilliant piece of work they have produced.”

Another participant wrote: “The 10920NAT course was a hugely informative and useful course especially for me as English is my second language and I work every day with the people from EAL/D backgrounds to help with some of their settlement and social issues.”

This nationally recognised Vocational Education and Training (VET) Course is for adults, and students in Years 10, 11 and 12. Participants are trained as tutors to assist secondary school learners who are experiencing literacy difficulties or have special learning needs. Others adults, including those who have offered to be tutors, can be greatly assisted to reach secondary school level by completing this course.

A senior specialist teacher and office holder in the respected organisation Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA) wrote: “The impact on low literacy on many young people often includes increased anxiety, reduced work options, limited lifestyle choices and restricted social engagement. Sadly there is evidence of the illiteracy to prison pipeline.” (Ann Ryan, Learning Difficulties Australia, LDA)

Secondary Schools who are Registered Training Organisations (RT0s), can run this nationally accredited program for their interested staff and students.It would be wonderful if schools offered the course free to students’ families and this is recommended by those who have created the course.

The team are currently negotiating with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority to have the course recognised as possible study for the Queensland Certificate of Education

Where does Rotary’s support for Literacy fit in? Rotary can support literacy tutors to gain the skills required to help secondary school students, people from other cultures learning English literacy, and those adults who have not been successful in their literacy learning.

Rotary Clubs can inform their local High School of this course and encourage them to explore the course that enables senior students to support the literacy learning of younger secondary students – students helping students.

“Senior students in Years 11 and 12 taking this course could realise far-reaching effects. Not only would it help their own learning, it will prepare them well to help others.” (Michael Suthers, President, Rotary Club of Capricorn Coast).

Program designers and writers:

Jean Bolton M.Ed (Literacy); Grad. Dip. Applied Linguistics; Grad.Cert.TESOL; Cert.Ed (UK); Qld Registered Teacher No: 667024; Specialist Teacher Consultant - Learning Difficulties Australia (LDA)

Therese McCabe, 10 years Special Education and Guidance, Catholic Education and 11 years Advisory Teacher for Speech-language Impairment with Queensland Education

Brenda Barry, Secondary School Learning Support Teacher, and fifteen years as English Curriculum Consultant for primary and secondary schools across Central Queensland

Further information : Carol Gorton email: carol.gorton@bigpond.com or

Mobile   0439 877 0003