Australia: Santos GLNG, APLNG Make Contribution to Exodus Tutorial Centre

Santos GLNG and Australia Pacific LNG today announced a $90,000 contribution in support of the Gladstone Exodus Tutorial Centre, an innovative, intensive literacy program specifically designed for “students at educational risk.” Santos GLNG’s and Australia Pacific LNG’s contribution will be made over the next three years.

Santos GLNG Regional Manager Garry Scanlan and Australia Pacific LNG Community Relations Manager Robert Gibb today presented the cheque to the Founder of the Exodus Tutorial Centre, Chris Tanner.

Mr. Tanner said literacy was the foundation of each student’s education and this funding would go a long way in providing a future for students with difficulties grasping the fundamental skills of reading, comprehension and spelling.

“Many of the students are frustrated, lack confidence and are developing negative attitudes towards education because they are struggling with literacy,” Mr. Tanner said.

“We provide a program of curriculum based instruction which equips students with the skills to bridge their literacy gap and become independent readers who return to their schools with enhanced personal self-esteem and confidence.”

The Centre, which is a partnership with Education Queensland, is based at Gladstone South Primary School and has helped 381 students from primary schools across Gladstone since its inception in 2001.

Mr. Tanner added that based on past comparative results, Education Queensland District Office Gladstone found students who attended the Centre had improved at a rate 26% higher in literacy and 41% higher than the overall State mean improvement, from Year 5 to 7 on the State-wide Literacy Tests.

Santos GLNG and Australia Pacific LNG praised the work of the Exodus Tutorial Centre and its two teachers.

“We are very pleased to be able to assist in this small way and hopefully our support will have a positive and last impacting on the students and their families,” Santos GLNG Regional Manager Garry Scanlan said.

“Having recently attended a graduation ceremony at the Centre, the improvement in capability and confidence of these young people is substantial. The impact the Centre is creating is a testament to Chris Tanner, the teachers and teacher aide,” Australia Pacific LNG Community Relations Manager Robert Gibb said.

The Centre provides students with a personal program, which runs over two school terms and is pitched at their level of ability to ensure they master each essential foundation stone of literacy before progressing to the next step. Each student’s progress is constantly monitored.

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LNG World News Staff, August 31, 2012