A child’s first years set the stage for everything that follows. But in Glen Innes too many children start school already years behind — with some five-year-olds assessed at a learning age of just two or three.
The Steve Farrelly Foundation’s Literacy Support programme tackles this challenge head-on by giving children the tools, confidence, and encouragement they need to thrive from day one.
Literacy support doesn’t stop with the children. Each term, parents are invited into schools to take part in sessions that build confidence in reading to their kids. These gatherings are about more than books - they create community, share strategies, and show parents that they are their child’s first and most important teacher.
By placing books into homes and building family engagement, the Foundation is shifting what the first day of school looks like for our tamariki. Children arrive with stories in their hands, words in their ears, and curiosity ready to grow. This is how we level the playing field - one book, one parent, one child at a time.
It’s early days, but the impact is already clear. Children are arriving at school with stronger vocabularies, a love of stories, and more confidence in the classroom. Parents are gaining skills and pride in supporting their children’s learning, and schools are reporting a real shift in readiness levels at new entrant classes. Each book placed in a child’s hands is one more step toward closing the literacy gap in our community.
Regular attendance is one of the biggest predictors of a child’s success at school - yet for many families, barriers outside the classroom make it hard for children to show up every day.
The Steve Farrelly Foundation’s Attendance Initiatives are designed to break down those barriers. Our work began in Glen Innes, where Steve partnered with local Police, social workers, truancy officers, and schools to rethink how truancy was addressed. Instead of a one-day sweep, the team visited families in advance, listened to their needs, and offered practical support.
Police, ATWC (Social Workers in Schools), ACES (Truancy Team), community liaison staff, and Foundation volunteers work together to visit every targeted family.
Each visit is a chance to hear what families are facing, understand their circumstances, and identify ways we can help.
Families receive large hampers of food, “Pamper Packs” for mums, “Baby Packs” for little ones, and other essentials. These are made possible through fundraising and generous partners.
This approach has transformed attendance in Glen Innes. Families feel supported rather than judged, and children are returning to school at rates unmatched in other districts across New Zealand. Fun incentives like ‘Cooking with Jo’ to reward good attendance. Kids make choc chip cookies or similar with Jo which is a special treat - they get to eat them and take some home which is marginally healthier and hanging out with Jo a real treat.
For a child to succeed at school, sometimes the biggest hurdle isn’t inside the classroom — it’s the lack of basics that many of us take for granted. Turning up without a uniform, missing breakfast, or not having shoes that fit can all make children feel left out and fall behind.
The Steve Farrelly Foundation’s Essential Resources programme removes those barriers so every child has what they need to participate fully in school and life.
ensuring children can attend school with confidence and a sense of belonging.
from daily breakfast to emergency hampers, making sure no child starts the day hungry.
basic items like soap, toothbrushes, and sanitary products that protect dignity and wellbeing.
connecting children with positive role models who can walk alongside them.
With the essentials taken care of, children are able to focus on learning, build friendships, and take part in opportunities they might otherwise miss. Teachers tell us they see the difference every day: kids turning up, joining in, and feeling proud to be part of their school community.
Generous offerings from the community is what keeps us going. Along with the massive support from our major sponsors, it is the reason we can do what we do. For that we thank you.