The Smith Family’s latest annual Pulse Survey reveals that nearly 60% of respondent families have struggled to afford essential school items for their children this year.

Most families cite rising living costs and increased school expenses as the main reasons for this difficulty.

More than one in six of the 2,454 survey respondents said family financial pressures had also made the school year difficult for their child.

The Smith Family’s CEO Doug Taylor says it’s concerning to see the impact financial difficulties have on a child’s education. “This is the third Christmas in a row the cost-of-living crisis has weighed on families already experiencing disadvantage.”

“Unfortunately, many children will be looking back on their school year having tried their very best, but the challenges faced by their families have likely affected their ability to achieve their full potential this year.”

“Today in Australia, one in six children are growing up in poverty, limiting their ability to make the most of their education. Everyone is feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis, but it is not felt equally.”

“The families we support are continually having to make hard decisions between paying for essentials like rent and groceries, and school essentials like uniforms and laptops. The latter costs can’t be prioritised when more essential needs must be met, and children are missing out as a consequence.”

The Smith Family is launching its 2024 Christmas Appeal, hoping to raise $4.91 million to provide more children in need with its tailored out-of-school learning and mentoring programs.

“Our evidence-based education programs are proven to help children catch up and keep up with their learning. For example, our student2student reading program helped 96% of participants to improve their reading this year.

“With the right support at the right time, we hope that all students can stay motivated and engaged at school and go on to complete Year 12,” Taylor says.

Related: Partnership to build healthier communities through education

“We know that all parents want their children to do their best at school. And our Pulse survey shows that the families we work with are extremely proud of their children, particularly when it comes to their progress, effort and attitude to learning,” Taylor added.

One survey participant said of their child, “They have tried so hard to do good in school despite our financial difficulties at home.”

Speaking about The Smith Family’s support, another parent said “I am able to lift a load off my shoulders and have a little room to breathe and focus on my children’s progress in school and grades and all those important things instead of only thinking about the expenses when it comes to schooling.”

Funds raised through The Smith Family’s Christmas Appeal will help the charity to expand its reach so that an additional 11,705 young people experiencing disadvantage can take part in its educational programs.

Key Pulse Survey findings

• 59% of all survey respondents have found it hard or very hard to afford all the things their children need for school this year.
• • 55.6% say this is due to increases in everyday expenses such as groceries, rent, home, energy costs and petrol (i.e. cost of living).
  • 27.3% say this is due to increased school expenses.
• One in six (17.9%) said financial pressures made school hard for their child this year.
• One in five (20.6%) survey respondents said school was hard for their children this year because their child is struggling with their schoolwork.
• When asked what they were most proud of about their child during the school year, the most common themes cited were about the child’s:
  • progress in learning or achievements (36.5% of the themes cited).
  • effort, perseverance and resilience (25.7%).
  • attendance and attitude to learning (16.6%).