South Australian schools awarded a share of $70,000 with the School Impact Program

4 July 2024

Credit Union SA is pleased to announce that 15 South Australian schools have been awarded a share of more than $70,000 in funding through the School Impact Program.

Launched last year with the aim of providing schools across our state an opportunity to access funds for vital projects, the program received over 300 entries in its first round of applications.

You have no idea what this means for us!Wendy Williams
Assistant Principal Moonta Area School

An independent panel, made up of four Credit Union SA team members and one Department for Education representative, meticulously reviewed each application to ensure that the funds were allocated where they would have the greatest impact.

"You have no idea what this means for us," said Wendy Williams, Assistant Principal Moonta Area School. Her school had just received quotes for a kids' camp, and due to cost-of-living pressures, they could no longer afford to send the children on the trip without requesting a significant financial contribution from their families, which they knew would be unaffordable. The funds will assist students in experiencing the joy and crucial developmental experience that school camp brings.

(A pedal-powered bike to blend smoothies will promote physical development and healthy eating habits among school kids at Challa Gardens Primary)

Michael Beelitz, Principal Yorketown Area School, emphasised this kind of funding makes a huge difference to regional communities. His school received $10,00 to help set up a cattle farm, enabling students to pursue agricultural education locally and apply their knowledge to their communities.

We are so appreciative to have received this award! Agriculture facilities do not come cheap, and the funding will help us engage students in authentic learning experiences.Michael Beelitz
Principal, Yorketown Area School

While winners of Round 1 have been notified, all other applications that were not successful at this stage have been moved to Round 2 for another chance at consideration without needing to reapply. Schools that have not yet registered their interest will be able to submit their applications for the second round starting July 22^nd.

Winners of School Impact Program Round 1

School Name	Project
Yorketown Area School	Agricultural program creation
Elliston Area School	Safe outdoor play space
Airdale Primary School	School camp
Gordon Education Centre	Communication boards for non-verbal students
Moonta Area School	Transport for school camp
Penola Primary School	Theatre excursion for arts program
Poonindie Community Centre	Indigenous experience school camp
Riverland Special School	Creation of gymnastic program
Cowell Area School	Sun-safe outside seating for learning area
Port Pirie West Children's Centre	Aboriginal community garden
Hospital School SA	First outdoor play space dedicated to sick children
McLaren Flat Primary School	Redcat classroom speaker system
Challa Gardens Primary School	Smoothie bike for student wellbeing
Seaford Secondary College	Temporary relief teacher funding for Operation Flinders
Birdwood Primary School	Farm Day Funding

We would like to congratulate all the winning schools! Your dedication to fostering enriching educational experiences for students is truly commendable, and we're excited about the positive impact these funds will have on your school communities.

Credit Union SA has been helping South Australians thrive for over 65 years. Our School Impact Program is another way we give back to our state’s education community.

With about 70% of the funds in Round 1 being awarded to regional schools, we're proud that the School Impact Program will help us bridge the gap in educational resources and opportunities across our state.

To learn more about the School Impact Program and application process, please click here.

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 50,000 members and more than $1 billion worth of assets. It is the third largest credit union in South Australia and offers 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, and with over 10,991 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 PD days a 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 Uni

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