How you can give back as a teacher

Over the years you may have met a student in the classroom that could benefit from a scheme that builds self-esteem and improves their overall wellbeing.

That’s where the Stewart House children’s charity comes in, a 12 day program located in Sydney’s Northern Beaches at South Curl Curl, which provides free health checks, mental health care and life changing experiences to children in need.

For the children’s charity, which relies heavily on charitable donations, school teachers and support staff are Stewart House’s unsung heroes.

Each year in excess of 10,000 NSW Education employees donate to Stewart House through a workplace giving program, known for some 43 years as The Stewart House Salary Contribution Scheme, the first of its kind in the NSW public sector.

For well over 30 years, Teachers Mutual Bank has also had a close relationship with Stewart House. Each year we make a financial contribution and over the years this has covered a range of expenses, including the running costs of one of the 25-seat buses to the actual costs of around 30 individual children staying at Stewart House.

History of Stewart House

It has been nearly 90 years since Stewart House first opened its doors and over the years Stewart House has cared for around 150,000 children.

Stewart House was first opened to help children in the midst of the Great Depression of 1929, overcome the effects of malnutrition and illnesses like tuberculosis or polio.

While modern medicines now cure many of the ailments of that time, today through its 12 day program, Stewart House continues to provide children with a comprehensive health check, as well as focusing on their mental health needs.

The 12 day program

Every fortnight throughout the NSW school terms, Stewart House hosts 84 public school children. That’s close to 1,700 children a year. Each child attending the program receives the following services with no charge to their parents or caregivers:

• Free dental services
• Eye and hearing assessments and treatments
• Access to psychologists and counsellors
• Exercise and educational activities

“Many of the children who attend have suffered from trauma derived from years of poverty and abuse”, says Murray O’Donnell, Chief Operating Officer at Stewart House.

“Some children cry when they arrive for a fortnight’s stay, as they arrive feeling isolated and disheartened. They cry when they leave as well – but for very different reasons, as they leave with hope, lifelong friends and a new outlook on life.”

Amy who attended Stewart House in 2000, recalls that her time at Stewart House created some of the happiest memories of her childhood:

“Meeting new kids and being in the older girls’ dorm was something which made me feel special and like I belonged. The day excursions, a special trip to Sega World, going to the filming of a music television show and seeing the band Killing Heidi, absolutely blew my mind. It enabled me to understand what opportunities in life I could have.” 

“Fast forward 18 years and the shy Year 6 girl from Rooty Hill Primary School has completed her HSC, obtained a nursing certificate, completed a double degree (Bachelor of Teaching/Bachelor of Arts (Primary)) and is teaching primary school students in Victoria and encouraging them to believe in themselves just as the mentors at Stewart House did for me.”

Sami, another child who attended Stewart House in 2006, says the program helped her to enjoy every part of being a child and to realise that her family situation didn’t make her “weird” or “abnormal”:

“When I was in year 3 and my brother was in year 1, we were invited to Stewart House. It had only been a year since my family migrated to Australia and both my brother and I were struggling with English and settling in to a new environment.”

“I remember going to the aquarium, the beach, walking over the Harbour Bridge at night, making cards with glitter, going to Sydney Olympic Park and my favourite was the games nights earning prizes. I am currently in my final year of university and soon to become a Registered Nurse. My goal is to become a Paediatric Nurse helping children to live their healthiest life possible. We may actually share the same vision - for children to have hope and positive aspirations for their future.”

To find out more about how you can give back as a teacher and support children in need visit TMB Direct Debit Donations.

With the continued support of teachers, we hope this iconic children’s charity will continue to change children’s lives for the next 90 years. By signing up you will be helping Stewart House continue its mission of changing children’s lives for another 90 years.

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