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Education Support Services

When a child falls ill or is injured and requires complex medical treatment, attending school is often not a possibility. At RMHC WA we offer a suite of programs to bridge the gap for students whose education is disrupted due to a medical illness or injury. The Ronald McDonald Learning Program provides education support to students across Western Australia, both in metropolitan and regional areas. Families staying at Ronald McDonald House Nedlands have access to The Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre, to help keep their school-aged children connected to their learning, while far from home.

Ronald McDonald Learning Program

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program (RMLP) aims to bridge the gap for school aged students whose education is disrupted due to serious illness or injury.

Supporting children from kindergarten to Year 12, the program provides a range of educational services including up to 40 hours of one-on-one tutoring and funding towards allied health intervention.

For more information, please express interest via the link below.

Photo of children in the Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre at RMH Nedlands

Become a RMLP Tutor

Becoming a tutor in the Ronald McDonald Learning Program (RMLP) gives teachers a chance to help sick or injured kids catch up on their missed education. Teachers are paid on an hourly basis to tutor students recovering from illness or injury at the student's school or local community facility.

Photo of RMLP Participant and their RMLP Tutor in a session
Photo of children in the Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre at RMH Nedlands

EDMed

EDMed is one of the services provided by the Ronald McDonald Learning Program team. Targeted for schools and pre-service teachers at universities, this free professional development opportunity helps teachers understand how to better cater for children with complex health needs. The module addresses strategies to support the physical, social, emotional, and academic wellbeing of children with serious medical or mental illness, as well as on how to support their siblings and families. All participants receive a certificate of completion for their professional learning records, and a resource book. EDMed is also available as a self-paced online module.

Charlie Bell Scholarship

When a young person is dealing with a serious illness or injury, other parts of their life can sometimes come to a standstill.

As their treatment and recovery become the priority, it can almost feel impossible to carry on with education, professional development or the career path they were pursuing.

To help students get back on their career path and towards the future they dream of Ronald McDonald House Charities established the Charlie Bell Scholarship. The scholarship awards one-off grants of up to $5,000 to young people aged 15 to 20 years, to assist towards their tertiary education.

Whether the money is used for books, supplies, apprenticeship tools or university fees, the scholarship is there to help young people get back on their path to success – wherever that might take them.

Photo of child with Ronald McDonald Learning Program RMLP tutor
Photo of Tori Brown holding giant cheque

About Charlie Bell

Charlie Bell was an inspiration leader, long time supporter of RMHC and someone with quite a remarkable story.

After starting his career as a part time crew member with McDonald’s at the age of 15, he progressed quickly through the ranks, becoming Australia’s youngest Store Manager at just 19. By the age of 29, Charlie was a Vice President of McDonald’s Australia and on the Australian Board of Directors.

Before long, Charlie was appointed Managing Director, McDonald’s Australia and then ultimately, President and Chief Executive Officer of the global McDonald’s system in 2004.

Charlie passed away in 2005, after a courageous battle with cancer and he has left behind a legacy that allows many young Australians to follow their dreams, just like he did.

Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre

The Bass Family Foundation Learning Centre operates independent to the Ronald McDonald Learning Program and aims to provide school-aged children with engagement opportunities to keep them connected to their education.

Located within Ronald McDonald House Nedlands, the learning centre is an inviting space where children participate in teacher-guided learning programs that are aligned to the Australian National Curriculum. The facility provides educational support to children receiving medical treatment as well as their siblings, whilst also providing mums, dads and carers with some necessary respite time.

Photo of the learning centre with chairs and books and toys

Submit an enquiry

If you’re a parent, carer or guardian with a sick kid, and you’d like to enquire about RMLP tuition or about the Charlie Bell Scholarship, or you’re a teacher or educator, and you’d like to enquire about EDMed training or becoming an RMLP tutor, fill out the form so we can put you in contact with the relevant team!

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Acknowledgement of Country

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA proudly cares for families on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Noongar People and the Traditional Custodians, the Whadjuk People.

We pay respects to Elders past and present for they hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia.