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Ronald McDonald Learning Program

When a child is unwell, school can quickly fall away. Lessons are missed, routines disappear, and confidence can fade. For families and kids already carrying so much, this can be another heavy worry. The Ronald McDonald House Learning Program keeps children connected to learning and a sense of normal life, so families can focus on their child’s health, knowing learning is still moving forward.

Extended stays in hospital or ongoing medical treatments can cause students to miss a substantial amount of school. Our tailored one-on-one tuition helps kids catch-up on missed education so that they feel confident as they strive to reach their full potential.

Class teachers of seriously ill or injured students often require support too. EDMed® is our free professional development session aimed at providing information for teachers about the potential impacts of serious illness, as well as education strategies to support the needs of students impacted by serious illness. 

Family stays supported with tutoring to keep on track

We believe every school aged child has the right to achieve their full potential, with our Ronald McDonald House Learning Program there to assist children with an illness or injury, and their siblings, catch up on missed education. Offering a suite of education services to build each child’s confidence and self-esteem, including:

  • One-on-one tutoring with experienced teachers
  • Sessions with Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists
  • Academic assessments provided by Educational Psychologists

All services are free to eligible families, thanks to funding from our generous supporters and partners.

Eligibility for the program is assessed on a case-by-case basis. When offering individualised support programs, the Ronald McDonald House Learning Program staff take into consideration:

  • The student has a serious illness or injury resulting in hospitalisation or is under specialist medical care
  • The student has had a significant amount of time off schooling (approximately a term or more) as a result of their illness or injury
  • The student is behind in schooling as a result of their serious illness or injury
  • The student is enrolled (and in a regular pattern of attendance) and attending a mainstream school or Distance Education
  • The student is well enough to benefit from educational support
  • The student is not receiving a moderate to high level of integration funding
Request tuition

Tutor with us!

Qualified and experienced teachers have the opportunity to support ill and injured children by becoming a Ronald McDonald House Learning Program tutor. Tutors are contracted on an hourly basis, providing one-on-one, tailored tuition to children recovering from illness either at the student’s school or local community facility, across the Northern NSW region. Each student receives up to 40 hours of tuition.

You can ensure family stays supported and on track in their transition back to school – submit your interest today.

 

Find out more and submit your interest

Professional learning for teachers

Planning for the return of a student who has suffered a serious physical illness or injury can present challenges for teaching staff. 

EDMed® is a free, two-hour professional development session, providing teachers with a range of educational strategies and information to assist in the smooth transition and integration back to school.

EDMed® can be delivered face to face or in a self-paced, online learning environment. To register for EDMed® online, follow the link below.

To request EDMed® face to face email Dayle, Ronald McDonald House Northern NSW Learning Program Coordinator, via [email protected].

Register for EDMed® online

Charlie Bell Scholarship

A serious illness or injury can make life stand still. Making any progress – whether it be in your education or career – can feel almost impossible. That’s why our Scholarship program exists.


By awarding one-off grants of up to $5,000 to deserving young people, we’re giving them the chance to get their schooling or career back on track. So, whether the money goes towards university fees, apprenticeship tools, books or supplies, RMHC is there to help students embarking on tertiary education succeed.

Find out more

Dele and Alan Scholarship

As teachers Dele and Alan Gilmore dedicated their life to helping young people achieve, both academically and socially. Through personal experience they came to understand the value of keeping families together during a child’s serious illness and this led them to become founding members of the committee that established the Ronald McDonald House at John Hunter Children’s Hospital, Newcastle.

In keeping with Dele and Alan’s passion to educate and help the local community, in particular young people who have been impacted by illness, the Dele and Alan Gilmore Scholarship has been established.

By awarding one-off grants totalling a maximum of $5,000 per year, to deserving young people, we hope to give them the chance to get their education back on track. Whether the money goes towards school fees, extracurricular activities, books or supplies, the Scholarship is there to help them succeed.

  • Scholarships are awarded annually
  • Applications are open from 1st June to 31st October each year
  • Selection will be made by the Dele and Alan Gilmore Scholarship Committee
  • Attendance at the Awards Ceremony is required (where possible)

To apply for a scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

  • The student has a serious physical illness or injury resulting in hospitalisation
  • The student is enrolled and attending a school or preschool
  • The student is well enough to benefit from educational support
  • The student lives in the Northern NSW region (i.e. Central Coast, Newcastle, Hunter, Mid North Coast, New England North West)

If you feel you meet this criteria, click here to complete an application form today.

  • Relevant medical history
  • An outline of your intention of use of grant
  • A letter of support from medical practitioner, social worker and / or allied health worker
  • A letter of support from Education Provider
  • Signature of parent/guardian (if under 18 years) 
  • A short video of the applicant (optional)
  • Student must be completing years preschool to year 12
  • Students must be completing studies in the Northern NSW RMLP region
  • Student to clearly articulated intended purpose for the scholarship if successful
  • Student to advise how the scholarship will help in achieving their goals
  • Summary of on-going medical expenses and or external funding received to be provided 
  • Family details, structure and living arrangements identified
Apply now

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