Philanthropy

As a company that works across the full spectrum of education and training, PhillipsKPA is highly aware of the needs of many individuals and organisations with limited access to educational opportunities as a result of long term disadvantage, natural disasters or difficulties experienced in developing economies.

 

In response, PhillipsKPA has established a philanthropic policy which seeks to achieve two outcomes:

 

·          providing financial support to worthy organisations to assist in addressing disadvantage in the education sector

·         developing partnerships with organisations to draw on PhillipsKPA’s expertise for the benefit of the causes undertaken by the recipient organisation.

In implementing this policy, PhillipsKPA has developed ongoing relationships with two organisations.

The Smith Family

PhillipsKPA contributes to the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program.  Through its membership of the Guardian Club, PhillipsKPA assists with the funding an Education Support Worker who coordinates Learning for Life within the community and provides personal assistance to families as well as students.  Education Support Workers also facilitate additional support such as career guidance courses and arrange for tertiary students to be matched with a mentor who is working professionally in the field in which the undergraduate aspires to build a career. 

Austcare

PhillipsKPA has provided pro bono services to support Austcare in its efforts with Lhoknga Junior High School in Banda Aceh, Indonesia.  Austcare is reconstructing the school in partnership with Islamic Relief and the Aceh Department of Religious Affairs. The previous school was destroyed by the tsunami which devastated Banda Aceh in December 2004.  

PhillipsKPA’s role in the project has centred on a site visit to:

·         identify gaps and areas for improvement regarding the capacity of teachers, with a specific focus on improving English language curriculum, participatory teaching methods and methods to motivate students

·         develop activities and recommendations for teachers to overcome these areas of weakness and build the skills and capacity of the teachers

·         deliver a workshop with teachers to demonstrate these ideas, and establish an action research model of curriculum and pedagogical reform

·         provide recommendations to Austcare on how the organisation can support Lhoknga Junior High School in the future.