Donations, Fundraising, Newsletter, Program News, School News
Term 2 2026
Spotlight: Learning for life
There’s more to Stewart House than meets the eye
Health checks. Time by the beach. A chance to recharge. These are often the experiences people associate with Stewart House. What many don’t see is the integrated program behind every child’s stay, where health, education and wellbeing work together to create lasting impact.
The needs of children referred to Stewart House are becoming increasingly complex, and so is the support they require. Every child arrives with their own story. Our role is not simply to provide a break from everyday life, but to help children develop the confidence, resilience and practical skills they need to thrive long after they return home.
This edition, we’re taking a closer look at one important part of that journey. Alongside health, wellbeing and residential care, Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is woven throughout the 12-day experience, helping children build confidence, strengthen relationships and develop practical skills they can carry with them for life.
Learning for life, in practice
The Stewart House School, a NSW Department of Education School for Specific Purposes (SSP) operating Monday to Friday during school hours, plays an integral role in the integrated residential program. Rather than following a traditional classroom approach, learning here supports children to develop essential life skills like self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and effective communication. By building these skills, SEL supports our students in forming healthier relationships, making responsible decisions and overcoming challenges with resilience.
What makes Stewart House unique is that learning is not taught in isolation. Throughout their stay, teachers, wellbeing and residential care staff, and the wider team help children practise learning in everyday moments, whether in class, at mealtimes or during activities. In this safe and supportive environment, children build confidence through small, meaningful moments of success that grow into stronger resilience, greater self-belief and practical life skills they carry home with them.
The impact is often best described by the children themselves. As one nine-year-old student recently shared before leaving Stewart House:
“I made a couple of friends, and I hope we can bring more people to Stewart House to show the kind things you can do and the good things you get out of it.”
(June 2026)
Term 2 Highlights
We’re already halfway through another year, and not just any year, our 95th!
This term, we’ve welcomed 370 children from 184 public primary and high schools across NSW. While Stewart House is proudly situated on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, the program reaches children from every corner of the state and the ACT, made possible through the support of our community.
Groups travelled from the Central Coast, Batemans Bay, Queanbeyan, Bondi, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, St George, Mount Druitt and Minchinbury, Taree and Granville.
Fresh Air, Fun and Friendship
Despite the cooler weather, nothing dampened the spirits of this group of boys during a recent beach visit. One of the great things about being located by the beach is that Stewart House children quickly learn a little cold and rain is no match for fresh air, fun and making memories together.
Here’s how your support can change a child’s life:
$30 – Provides a child with healthy nutrition for one day (breakfast, morning tea, lunch, dinner, and supper)
$130 – Covers one night of care and support in our safe, comfortable accommodation
$227 – Funds all program benefits for one day, including meals, accommodation, health activities, and education
$2,500 – Fully funds an 11-night life-changing stay for one child, offering comprehensive care and support
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