Media Release
Shell Supports Tute Group in Geelong’s Northern Suburbs
25/03/2009
Students from Corio and Corio South Primary Schools shared their favourite aspects of Tute Group - The Bethany Shell Homework Club during a launch to celebrate the program’s new name and principal supporter, Shell Geelong Refinery.
Bethany Community Support CEO, Grant Boyd, said Tute Group is an early intervention program supporting disadvantaged children and refugee children in the northern suburbs to complete their homework. Corio South Primary School has two clubs, one for Indigenous students and the other for students from the Karen community (Burma), while Corio Primary School has one club for eligible grade five and six students.
“Tute Group supports the children by providing assistance through weekly clubs to help them with their homework and assist them to transition successfully to secondary school,” said Grant.
“The clubs provide a structured and fun learning environment where sessions are tailored to the specific needs and educational requirements of each child,” he said.
“Bethany is delighted to have the support of Shell Geelong Refinery which will be funding the programme for the coming three years.”
Shell Geelong Refinery Communications Manager, Joan McGovern, said the company is supporting Tute Group as part of its social investment program, which focuses on three areas including education, health and the environment.
“Bethany was chosen as a social investment recipient as the homework club model addresses a core need within our local community,” said Joan.
"Receiving a solid education is key to the future success of children and we are confident Tute Group will help improve the educational outcomes of the students involved,” she said.
Participating children attend Tute Group for up to two hours per week during the school year. A warm-up activity is undertaken and a healthy snack provided before the children begin working with their tutor on the specific areas of need as identified by their teacher.
Deakin University’s third and fourth year Faculty of Education students provide tutoring. Shell employees have the opportunity to be involved as part of the company’s employee volunteering program.
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For more information, please contact:
Bethany Community Support: Julie Stefanoff - 0417 411 400
Shell Geelong Refinery: Jessica Mariner - 0410 655 162