Lions help students start a new chapter

TORQUAY Lions recently donated $500 to Surf Coast Secondary College to purchase dyslexic font books.

The books use a typeface designed to make them easier for people with dyslexia to read, and the $500 donation will allow the purchase of 14 books.

Surf Coast Secondary College literacy teacher Regina Bishop said using books such as these to help students with their reading also supported their learning in general.

“If we can make reading automatic, students are able to focus on what the lesson is about, rather than deciphering text and missing the learning.”

College librarian Jenny Moss runs a fortnightly session with Year 7 and 8 students where they recommend and discuss stories. These sessions aim to make students passionate about reading, but the lack of funding for students with dyslexia means their options are often more limited.

Ms Moss said she was pleased to see the Lions looking to address the imbalance.

“We’re so grateful to have Torquay Lions support struggling students by funding these special books.”

The Lions have a well-established link with the school through various grant and programs.

The club’s vice president Bill Ferguson said the Torquay Lions placed high importance on helping younger members of the community.

“Our help in this project for students with reading difficulties is one of many things we do to help students in Torquay.

“We provide scholarships for students in each school in the Torquay region, we, and other Lions clubs, contributed to the shire youth pod – which is in Torquay for refurbishment by Surf Coast Secondary College students – and we have supported leadership and development programs for young people as well.”