TEA Gardens Library has received a welcome donation to help support its ‘Homework Help’ program.

Medowie Christian School handed over a cheque for $500 last week to Librarians Chris Shelly and Carol Johnson.

“One of our core values is reaching community,’’ Principal Simon Herd told News Of The Area.

“We have students from Bulahdelah, Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Dungog and down to Newcastle, so from that perspective it’s giving a little bit back to the communities that we draw from,” Simon said.

Homework Help is open to all students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Each student receives a helping hand from a volunteer, most of whom are retired teachers.

An added incentive to learning, the Library also provides afternoon tea for the students and volunteers.

Principal Simon Herd said, “The aim is to support the library and help provide the food that keeps the kids fed and fuelled in the afternoon and supports the volunteers in that process as well.”

The program also helps parents who may be finding they no longer have the answers to the questions that come home from school.

“I think there are great benefits in developing healthy patterns for students, developing life skills and developing healthy habits for a lifetime” Simon said.

Brother and sister Lilliana and Ashton Baillie are regular users of the program.

While eight-year-old Ashton is not a great lover of homework, his Mum Sharney said he loves coming to the Library.

From the smiles and the laughter in the Library last week it was obvious everyone felt the same.

‘’It’s great having a vibrant library,” Principal Herd said.

‘’Everyone is happy to be here, creating that love of learning and love of books.”

Homework Help at Tea Gardens Library runs between 3pm and 4.45pm every Wednesday afternoon during school term.

Internet, printing and photocopy facilities are also available free of charge to students.

 

 

By Margie TIERNEY