At SCE we take an active interest in the communities in which we operate through a range of community and sponsorship programs including:
Life Education Illawarra
Life Education Illawarra (LEI) is a charitable organisation which offers a positive, preventative approach to drug education. LEI delivered its programs to nearly 17, 000 primary school students and nearly 500 pre-school children in the Illawarra in 2017.
Approximately 5,000 of these children, from schools residing in low socio economic areas, received free visits. LEI is determined to continue with this initiative and is pursuing funding to help make the long-running health program even more accessible to Illawarra school children in low socio economic areas.
The Life Education program was created by the late Rev Ted Noffs from Sydney’s Wayside Chapel. The program delivers age-specific modules led by trained educators who travel to schools to engage children in learning the benefits of staying healthy and the harm caused to their bodies through illicit drugs, alcohol and an unhealthy lifestyle.
We endeavour to raise funds to support the delivery of special educational programs to primary school and pre-school children, on the value of healthy bodies and the effect of legal and illegal drugs. We support two mobile classrooms, each with qualifies teachers, to deliver this preventative health and drug education.
Life Education programs address a need in our community, by aiming to educate young people about the dangers associated with the misuse of tobacco, alcohol and illegal drugs and the effect it has on their bodies. The programs have comprehensive detailed links to the NSW Primary School Curriculum and uses materials and resources based on sound theory and current research.
The program is designed to help children develop the social skills and knowledge necessary for effective decision making, communication, and negotiation and refusal skills in drug-related situations. The program gives them the skills to resist peer group pressure in drug related situations and the knowledge so that they can make informed decisions. We also aim to inform young children of the advantages of looking after their bodies.
Life Education has endured for more than 30 years because of its relevance, its value and the critical role it plays in educating young children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. It is the largest non-government provider of health education to children and young people, Australia wide.
Our mission is to empower children and young people to make informed choices for a safe and healthy life and in doing so “make a material difference”.
Illawarra Convoy
Reducing the financial and emotional burden on families in the Illawarra and South Coast communities who have a member undergoing treatment for a potentially life threatening illness.
Steel City Strings
Steel City Strings (SCS) is a vibrant string orchestra showcasing the professional talents of players from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven Region. The orchestra provides an important platform:
- for local musicians to come together to play exciting music
- to inspire young local string players
- to feature local soloists
- to support and showcase talented Australian composers
