Australian Business & Community Network (ABCN)

We believe that education can change people's lives. That's why we have consistently invested in student-focussed education projects for over 15 years.
In 2003, we established partnerships with state-based high schools in disadvantaged suburbs of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to explore ways we could improve pathways for students who did not have the benefit of private education. We have also developed a long-term relationship with the Fresh Fish Traders' School in Hong Kong.

In 2005, we became a founding member of the Australian Business and Community Network to scale our education partnerships in collaboration with other Australian businesses. All 30+ members of ABCN are committed to improving outcomes for students in Australia's public education system.
Today, through our active membership of ABCN, we help to deliver the following mentoring programs across Australia at both a primary and secondary level.

Aspirations

A program for Year 10 students with a strong vocational focus, encouraging students to explore their future career goals and maximise their educational opportunities.

FOCUS

An award-winning program we developed in partnership with ABCN and first delivered as a pilot project with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. FOCUS mentors future female leaders on essential leadership skills they need to engage in a successful, meaningful career. The program selects young women from years 10, 11 and 12 in high-needs school already demonstrating leadership potential.

The students attend city-based mentoring sessions. Themes include goal setting, time management and models of leadership.

The program fosters a sense of self-belief in the students and encourages them to aim high and have confidence in their leadership abilities.

GOALS

GOALS is the flagship ABCN mentoring program. It engages with students in Year 9 to assist with goal setting and personal development. Its overriding purpose is to maximise student engagement and encourage students to complete Year 12. GOALS is a multi-session program delivered in a group setting. Each student is matched with a mentor. The real magic happens in the group environment where mentors share their life journeys and students see the benefits of setting goals and aiming high.

InterACT

InterACT is designed to support students who have recently immigrated to Australia in gaining the cultural and vocational literacy they need to participate in Australian life. The program seeks to encourage skills such as communication and building relationships together with critical socialisation aspects so students learn to sustain adult conversations in English with positive role models outside their immediate community.

Interview to Impress (i2i)

i2i aims to help students improve their interview skills with mentors from the firm. The course aims to provide constructive feedback and advice from mentors on their interview experiences as well as assist the students in developing good interview techniques with respect to things like formal introductions and positive body language.

SPARK & RISE

Educational research provides a clear message: the early years matter. For students who come from a non-English speaking background or who don't receive support to read at home, the SPARK group reading program is a highly effective way to engage with reading and build strengths in literacy.
We have participated in ABCN's SPARK literacy program in Melbourne and Sydney for more than 10 years. It continues to be one of our most popular and rewarding programs.

RISE is program we helped develop where mentors are partnered with students to offer one-on-one reading and literacy mentoring support. RISE stands for 'read, inspire, strive, exceed' and aims to assist students in developing their literacy skills, particularly reading fluency and comprehension.