Category: Uncategorised

Meet Nick Gabb an EPC

Posted on January 17, 2024 by - Uncategorised

I’d like to introduce you to Nick.  Nick Gabb is our Education Partnership Coordinator for the north and western of Melbourne and Ardoch’s longest-serving staff member. Nick is constantly seeking to give students and our school partners the experiences, support and opportunities to help them reach their potential. 

What is your favourite Ardoch program? I really enjoy organising and running the pathways programs with upper primary and secondary students’ involvement.

What about it makes it so special? I like connecting corporate and community organisations who can provide positive professional adult role models to support young people and their learning. It’s important that we can recruit a diverse range of workplace volunteers to represent the diverse range of cultures that our school communities are made up from.   

Can you tell us about a time when you saw how the program impacted a student? I believe I see positive outcomes on students in every pathways program. You can see a student really nervous at the start of a conversation at either a Learning through Lunch or a mock interviews activity. By the end, the student is more comfortable, more trusting and confident in a two way conversation. I think that’s a great impact. 

What do you like best about working at Ardoch? I like working with a broad range of people, I enjoy working with young people and their teachers. When I was young, I had a pretty limited education so now anything I can do to support young peoples’ engagement in education to improve their opportunities, I’m in. Ardoch does this really well.   

Recently one of our volunteers shared their thoughts about Nick “It’s incredible to be a part of Lunch n Learn, Literacy and Numeracy Buddies and so much more Ardoch program offers. In every experience I can sense a strong curiosity in each student and confidence / courage to step out and try new things and converse about all topics freely (with respect and politeness). I cannot think of one single example as all experiences I have been a part of have been coordinated masterfully by Nick (Education Partnerships Coordinator), the children across each school and the wonderfully diverse Ardoch Program and sets kids up for success and the next generation of strong and empathetic individuals.”

Launching our new premier strategic National Partner – Credit Suisse

Posted on October 27, 2020 by - Uncategorised

Credit Suisse logo

We are absolutely thrilled to announce Ardoch’s newest corporate partnership with Credit Suisse Australia. Over three years we will be delivering and scaling our Pathways Beyond School and Robotics programs into fourteen partner secondary schools in Victorian and New South Wales communities facing disadvantage. Through this ground-breaking partnership, we expect to support nearly 10,000 vulnerable young people, equipping them with the education and skills they need for a productive future and working to close the educational and employment gap as they enter adulthood.

Our Pathways Beyond School program will support students in secondary school by providing opportunities to engage with a range of industries, employers, working role models and careers that encourage student aspirations for learning, careers and pathways to future study.

Each school will have the option to experience our Mock Interviews, Speed Careers, You-niversity and Industry Visit programs, along with our iconic Learning Through Lunch program.

Our Robotics program provides students with the opportunity to engage with the STEM curriculum in a hands-on, creative and inspiring way which can lead to further academic and career engagement. Each school will receive a Next Gen Robotics Tech Box designed for years 7 and 8 students, along with professional development training for the teachers to help them deliver the program in an engaging and effective way.

This will be Ardoch’s largest corporate partnership. In making Ardoch the company’s first Australian charity partner under its newly established Asia-Pacific Foundation, Foundation [Director] and Australian CEO, Richard Gibb, said Credit Suisse felt privileged and delighted to be able to support the work of Ardoch over the next three years.

‘We were very impressed with the important work Ardoch is doing, working diligently and with great dedication to provide support, skills and desperately needed resources to vulnerable young Australians as they grow into adulthood, building aspirations and contributing to enhanced learning outcomes and future opportunities. We look forward to our staff becoming more involved with Ardoch and the schools in their program over the next three years of our philanthropic partnership,’ he said.

We are excited to be collaborating with a leading global financial services company and working with their committed team as valued volunteers, supporting the delivery of these important programs.