Settled into its new home at Western Sydney University, in term one the Eels Educate classroom worked with almost 500 students, was nominated for a Western Sydney honour, and were helped by the presence of Parramatta Eels players in the Read with a Mate program.
In conjunction with Parramatta City Council, Holroyd City Council and the Community Migrant Resource Centre, Eels Educate successfully completed two classroom sessions for 20 fathers and their children from culturally diverse backgrounds in a two-day event.
The Parramatta Eels were represented by David Menton, as well as NRL squad players John Folau and Matthew Woods.
Fathers learnt about the importance of reading to their children and the child’s brain development. Each father and child took home tickets to an upcoming Eels NRL game, as well as a book from the participating Councils.
Overall evaluations were extremely positive for both the fathers and children involved, as well as the NRL players who assisted.
APRIL SNAPSHOT:
With the school holidays running through April, the Eels ran the final classroom lesson with Greystanes High School, and conducted educational events including Eye on the Future and Read With a Mate S1, as well as starting the Social Cohesion program with Berala Primary School.
In April, the Eels Educate Rise Above program was nominated for the Daily Telegraph Champions of the West by Western Sydney University.
