Credit Union SA helps schools across SA with School Impact Program

Credit Union SA is proud to announce the success of its inaugural year of the School Impact Program (SIP), which has given a total of $116,000 to 30 schools across the state, helping fund vital projects that will support the next generation of South Australian students.

The School Impact Program was created to provide South Australian schools access to funding for special projects between $2,000 and $20,000, to help students and teachers thrive and relieve the financial and fundraising pressure that would usually fall on school communities and families.

Welcoming applications in Term 1 of this year, the program received over 360 entries in its first year from schools across South Australia.

Credit Union SA CEO, Todd Roberts, has been overwhelmed by the success of the program and is pleased to be able to share the successful program applicants for 2024.

Elizabeth Park received $3,000 for fencing to create an enclosed outdoor area to enable students and family’s safe access to both indoor and outdoor activities. Many of the children who attend the hub have complex and high needs, and with the addition of the outdoor area, it will help manage sensory challenges in a safer environment.

While Torrensville Primary received funds to create a culturally immersive Yarning Circle to engage their students in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture, including traditional indigenous plants.

East Marden School and Alberton Preschool were also provided with funds for transport to and from student visits to elderly Lutheran Homes, and transport for a preschool excursion to enrich student learning , respectively.

A tiny micro school, with only 18 students and 7 teachers, Springton Primary struggle to maintain their grounds and buildings with a tiny budget. With help from Credit Union SA’s SIP program, the school received $5K to help create a safe multi-purpose outdoor learning space using outdoor blinds.

“Springton Primary School is micro-school with a rich history. Off our main learning area we have a beautiful deck which is rarely used as its open to all of the weather conditions. Receiving this funding means we can enclose this space with motorised blinds, providing our students with a beautiful, protected outdoor space to learn and connect in” Leah Richards

Principal of Springton Primary School

Nuriootpa High School also received $1,500 to help fund for sports uniforms for their Inclusive Education Centre (IEC).

A judging panel including a Department for Education representative, meticulously reviewed each application to ensure that the funds were allocated where they would have the greatest impact.

This year’s share of $116,000 in funding demonstrates that Credit Union SA is well on the way to achieving its goal of providing $1M to South Australian schools over 10 years as part of the program.

Applications for Credit Union SA’s 2025 School Impact Program will open 28 January 2025.

Media contact

For more information contact Joann Skene, Senior Manager Brand & Business Development, jskene@creditunionsa.com.au

About Credit Union SA

Credit Union SA is a South Australian based member-owned financial institution with over 54,000 members and $1.8 billion in assets. Founded more than 65 years ago to help South Australians thrive, it was all about creating a fairer, smarter, and more human alternative to traditional banks; offering the full range of financial services including transaction and savings accounts, fixed term investments, home loans, personal loans, credit cards and insurance.

Credit Union SA's Role in Education in South Australia

Since 1958, Credit Union has been dedicated to South Australian educators, their families, and the education sector. Now with over 12,500 educators and their families choosing to bank with Credit Union SA, they have honoured their core purpose of supporting South Australian education with their committed team at Credit Union SA.

Over the last 20 years, they have achieved the following for education:

• Sponsored over 100 conferences a year (2,000 conferences over 20 years)
• Over 25 Professional Development days each year
• 100 staff room visits per year
• Supporting the Public Education Awards since 2014, with platinum status for 2023, including the Credit Union SA Excellence & Equity in Education Awards
• Over 22 years of supporting Educators SA including the introduction of the Education Association Sponsorship Program
• Major Sponsors of SASPA and SAPPA
• Major Supporter of Uni SA, Adelaide University and Flinders University