When Scotch College Junior School students identified the significant problem of under-developed adult migrant literacy – they discussed ways in which they could help migrants and refugees successfully integrate into our local community – and then prepared an action plan which has resulted in an effective local solution to this national problem.

This initiative forms part of the national Macquarie Bank Future Problem Solving (FPS) program, which has been running for the past fifteen years and is open to all Australian students from Years 5 to 12.  The national program allows children to look at future scenarios and using set criteria, address the underlying problems by implementing innovative solutions. 

The Year 5 Scotch College students have since been asked to represent their work in the national FPS (Community Problem Solving division) finals to be held on 12-14 October.

Through working closely with adult migrants and refugees living in our local community, these intrepid Scotch students have driven their idea of ‘students as teachers’.  Joining forces with LM Training Centre, Scotch students have met with and established excellent rapports with their adult migrant students, exchanging letters, stories and reports – both written and verbal – over many months.  This initiative, whilst providing local adult migrants with greater insight into Australian culture and family life, has also allowed Scotch students to better understand the backgrounds of migrants and the histories of their respective countries, as well as progress their confident interaction with their peers.    

“We are happy that we have been able to help migrants to South Australia improve their written and oral skills.  Our new buddies are really nice, and not so shy anymore, and we have learnt that a lot of refugees go through a very hard time,” said the Year 5 Scotch Community Problem Solving (CmPS) media team Lucy, Jack and Hattie.

The other Year 5 Scotch CmPS students involved with welcoming migrants to our local community and helping them to converse effectively are Wesley, Emily, Rhys and Dylan.

”The dedication of the students and their individual personal growth in effectively conveying their own literacy learnings to adults – and learning more about other cultures – has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience for everyone involved.  And I know that the students’ teacher, Mrs Kerry Coggins, has been absolutely delighted with the students’ committed approach,” said Scotch College Principal, Mr Tim Oughton.