The Smith Family CEO Talks Conversation Series

Welcome to Conversations with The Smith Family, a video series featuring our CEO Doug Taylor, in conversation with members of The Smith Family community.

In this series, Doug talks to those involved in the different strands of our work to improve educational outcomes for children in need by supporting their education.

Conversations with The Smith Family features students on our programs, their families, our staff and our supporters, to bring to life The Smith Family’s work in action and to illustrate the transformative power of education to allow all young Australians to create better futures for themselves.

Topics featured include; The impact of disadvantage on educational outcomes, the enduring impact of the COVID pandemic, Using data for purpose, Improving digital inclusion and Careers and Transition Support.

Like we have done throughout history, we will continue to listen to young people and work with them and others to find a better way. Every child deserves the chance to learn, do well at school, and succeed in life. And every student needs strong supports to do this – at school, at home and in their communities.

Chief Executive Officer - Doug Taylor

INTERVIEWS

Doug Taylor, Alison Forthuber and Rachel Armer on how teachers transform lives

Meet two remarkable primary school principals from the Illawarra region of New South Wales, who see firsthand the challenges and hopes for young people experiencing disadvantage. Alison Forthuber is the Principal of Bellambi Public School and Rachel Armer is the Assistant Principal of Warilla North Public School, both partner schools of The Smith Family.

Teachers transforming lives

President of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, Andy Mison, discusses what is needed to properly resource our schools to lift student outcomes and reduce educational inequality.

Schools for the future

Doug Taylor and Travers McLeod screenshots

As the Expert Panel finalises its report to Education Ministers on the National School Reform Agreement review, Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director, Travers McLeod, discusses what needs to happen to support student experiencing disadvantage to make the most of their education.

Addressing educational inequity

CEO of The Smith Family Doug Taylor sits down with the charity's head of research and advocacy, Anne Hampshire, to discuss the importance of the National School Reform Agreement. The Smith Family is calling for a range of policy changes under the new agreement to ensure schooling in Australia is better and fairer, especially for students experiencing disadvantage.

Conversations with Anne Hampshire

The review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System is underway. High School Principal and Smith Family Board member, Christine Cawsey, talks to the challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds that must be addressed by the next National School Reform Agreement.

Building a better education system

VIEW has over 14,000 members in 300 clubs throughout Australia and is the largest community sponsor of over 1,700 students experiencing disadvantage on the Learning for Life program

The Women of View

Shannon Hyde corporate partner man in suit

Our former student, Shannon Hyde, grew up knowing what it was like to go without. Instead of hiding his background, he uses it to inform his leadership as the CEO of Simply Energy, where he mentors our current students in the paid Cadetship to Career internship program

Giving back to people in need

Peter Radoll, Anaiwan man and The Smith Family board member

To mark National Reconciliation Week, Anaiwan man and Smith Family board member Peter Radoll, talks to CEO Doug Taylor.

Reconciliation Week: Be a voice

woman in colourful top helps student with homework with colourful pencils in foreground

In National Volunteers Week we celebrate our 5,200 volunteers, who in the past year alone donated more than 116,000 hours of service, with an estimated equivalent value of $3.7 million.

Celebrating our Volunteers

Teacher sitting with student helping with school work

Our learning programs provide timely and targeted educational support for young Australians experiencing the impact of poverty and disadvantage.

insights on our learning programs

Children learning literacy and numeracy through board games with an educator through The Smith Family programs

Our evidence-based programs targeting early years literacy and numeracy are designed to support parents, and early childhood educators, to gain the skills and confidence to help young children to dream big and be ready to start school.

investing in the early years

Doug Taylor CEO and Wendy Field sitting looking at camera

Ensuring all students on our flagship Learning for Life educational support program are digitally included, is a key ambition of The Smith Family’s Five-Year Strategy.

digital inclusion

Leading educational researcher, Dr Sue Thomson, reflects on educational inequality in Australia and what works to best assist children experiencing disadvantage who are struggling to succeed in their learning.

What the evidence tells us

Our work is evidence informed and outcomes focused to ensure our educational support programs can best assist the children and families we support.

Data for purpose

The smith family CEO standing with Peter Stumbles Strategic Advisor for photograph

Peter Stumbles has had a ten year relationship with The Smith Family, not only as an individual supporter but also via his role as managing partner of Bain & Company.

Meet our Strategic Advisor

the smith family CEO and Nick standing next to each other for photograph

Nicholas Moore joined The Smith Family as Board Chair in 2019 and has helped to guide and oversee the development of our new Five-Year Strategy.

Meet our Board Chair

Phoenix is among more than 3,000 students on our Learning for Life program who have been directly affected by the recent devastating floods in Queensland and northern NSW.

Qim & Phoenix's Story

Teddy is a proud Kamilaroi woman who wants to be a high school teacher out of respect and gratitude for her own teachers. She dreams of working in rural and remote communities. Watch video: 4.58m

TEDDY'S STORY

Conversations with The Smith Family

INTERVIEWS

More Smith Family Stories

Meet our sponsored students

Hear from families

Meet our Learning for Life staff

Meet our supporters