"Keeping our Kids at School"
The Silvan Foundation
Positive Futures Program for our Youth

The Silvan Foundation is a new initiative in the outer east, launched in 2000 to fund and encourage students to stay at school through scholarships and youth camps funded by local businesses. The Silvan Foundation was started by local MP Wendy Smith "because a significant number of young people are at risk in the outer east of not completing their secondary education and reaching their full potential. Secondary schools and businesses are now working together within their community, to encourage students to stay at school longer by building self esteem and confidence."

The Silvan Foundation provided scholarships for 130 students from five schools: Croydon Secondary College, Heathmont College, Maroondah Secondary College, Ringwood Secondary College and Upwey High School to give financial assistance and encouragement to stay at school.

This year 93 new scholarships have been awarded to seven schools - Bayswater Secondary College, Boronia Heights College, Croydon Secondary College, Heathmont College, Maroondah Secondary College, Ringwood Secondary College and Upwey High School.

Ms Smith said "the students were chosen by their school community as having worked hard, being dedicated and with huge ability."

The Silvan Foundation also runs for the students in Years 9 to 11 from the same four schools, a "Going For It" three day camp to build self esteem, confidence and resilience. The three day program involves activities to challenge the students physically, such as orienteering and bush walks. There are also activities to encourage leadership and team work.

"Confidence building and giving the students life skills is a fundamental aim of the camps. Over the three days we see the students grow with confidence, make new friends, take up leadership roles and work together as teams", said Wendy Smith.

The Foundation is funded by local businesses in the outer east which are:
Air International Group Limited, ARB Corporation Ltd, Australian Automotive Air Pty Ltd, Dickson Professional Real Estate, Flemings Nursery Pty Ltd, Hewlett Packard Pty Ltd, Hydrosteer Pty Ltd, Kenworth Trucks Pty Ltd, Keypass Pty Ltd, Kilsyth Club and Patterson Cheney Holden.

"This is the first time such a project has been initiated in this manner in the outer east and it is about business and school communities working together for our youth", said Wendy Smith.

If any business is interested in becoming involved in the Foundation, please contact Wendy Smith on 9870 8284.