CMY has a range of programs and resources designed to support students and their families.
Students and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds have a unique set of needs and face a variety of challenges when engaging in the education system. These may include: English not being their first language, disrupted education prior to arriving in Australia, experiences of trauma that impact on learning, experiences of racism at school and in broader society, parents having limited or no experience navigating formal education systems, differing expectations of the structures and norms of the Victorian education system.
We can help to build your capability and boost your confidence in supporting and engaging with students and families from refugee and migrant backgrounds for better educational outcomes. See below for a range of programs and resources.
Sign up here for the MY Education e-news
(for school staff and other education professionals)
Sign up here for the Learning Beyond the Bell e-news
(for Out-of-School-Hours Learning Support Program or ‘homework club’ coordinators and volunteers)
If you are a young person, parent or carer looking for direct education support please click here.
What we offer
Support for Schools
We support schools to enhance engagement with students from refugee and migrant backgrounds and their families. As well as programs in schools, we deliver training and professional development for school staff, and produce a range of resources to support schools, teachers, students and their families.
Support for Out-of-School-Hours Learning Support Programs
Across Victoria, we provide support to over 365 out-of-school-hours learning support programs (OSHLSP). These programs provide high quality tuition and learning support to children and young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and their families. They also assist families to better support their children’s learning at home.
We can provide your learning support program with consultation and advice, networking opportunities, training and professional development, and resources.
Refugee Education Support Program (RESP)
RESP is a two-year program aimed at assisting schools to identify and implement strategies which have a positive impact on the achievement, engagement, and wellbeing outcomes of students from refugee backgrounds and their families.
RESP works with participating primary and secondary schools in the government and non-government sectors in five defined geographic clusters across Victoria. The program creates a learning community across school clusters to share their practices and ideas to support one another.
Reverb – Culturally responsive mental health
A whole-school approach including workshops and consultations relating to culturally responsive mental health. This program can be tailored to your school and typically runs for one term.
Schools Standing Up To Racism
Schools Standing Up to Racism is a collaboration between CMY and the Victorian Department of Education and Training, offering a range of resources to support schools to address racism and discrimination in their school environment.
This includes workshops available for primary and secondary school leadership and staff and a third optional workshop available for secondary students.
Visit the website for resources and information about workshops.
MY Education
See a Learning Support Program in action
Find a Learning Support Program
Our Homework Club database includes over 350 learning support programs across Victoria. These are attended by more than 6,000 students weekly and assisted by approximately 1,800 volunteer tutors. Some of these learning support programs have agreed to be listed publicly on our website.
If you are interested in volunteering with a learning support program, or you know a student in need of support, find your closest Homework Club here.