What to Expect on a TLG RP: A Guide for New Volunteers

TLG’s mission

The Teach Learn Grow (TLG) mission is to help rural, regional and remote students overcome barriers by improving their educational outcomes and expanding their aspirations.

What is Rural Program (RP)? 

Signing up as a tutor for a TLG Rural Program provides an opportunity to make a significant difference in the education of students in rural Australia. TLG runs two one-week Rural Programs each year, one during the winter school holidays and one during the summer school holidays so if you’re not available for one, there’s another opportunity to get involved later in the year. Volunteers collaborate with students to provide personalised support through tutoring, mentorship, and engaging activities.

However, the Rural Program encompasses more than just classroom activities. It’s an opportunity to live in a rural community, make valuable connections, meet new people, and gain insight into a part of Australia you might not otherwise see.

If you’re thinking about joining but aren’t sure what to expect, this blog is here to answer any questions you might have before applying from what you’ll be doing and who you’ll be with, to what you’ll eat, where you’ll sleep, and whether you need tutoring experience.

Most importantly, you don’t need to have everything figured out before applying. TLG provides training and support to help you feel prepared and confident for your first Rural Program.

Saplings vs Sprouts 

TLG Rural Programs (RPs) are organised into two categories: Saplings and Sprouts. While each stream has a different focus, both aim to provide meaningful learning experiences and help students realise their full potential.

Saplings Rural Programs aim to build students’ STEAM skills through a range of fun and interactive activities each day. The program’s goal is to boost students’ confidence and involvement in learning while encouraging increased school participation and attendance.

Sprouts Rural Programs take a more personalised approach, with tutors working one-on-one with students to provide personalised mathematics sessions each day. These lessons are tailored to each student’s specific requirements and learning objectives, allowing them to improve their skills, confidence, and overall learning outcomes.

What Will I Actually Do?

As a volunteer, your primary responsibility is to work directly with students. Depending on your program, this could involve tutoring, organising events, creating lesson plans, and finding innovative ways to make learning more enjoyable and engaging.

You will also be a member of the larger team that keeps the program running. Volunteers assist with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and planning for the day.

You do not need to be an experienced tutor when you arrive. What matters most is your willingness to learn, participate, and build meaningful relationships with your students.

What if I’ve Never Tutored Before?

This is one of the most common worries among first-time volunteers, which is why TLG offers training before you depart.

New volunteers attend training sessions to learn about TLG’s teaching methodologies, practise lesson planning, and develop their tutoring skills. Before you leave, you’ll also have the opportunity to practise one-on-one tutoring with Perth students.

Your coordinators will also be available throughout the Rural Program to assist and support you.

You do not need to be an expert before you go. The Rural Program is an opportunity to learn just as much as it is an opportunity to teach.

Packing List 

TLG’s packing list makes it easier to prepare for the Rural Program. It includes everything you’ll need for the week, allowing you to focus on getting ready for the experience rather than worrying about what to bring.

When it comes to tutoring supplies, you have plenty of room to be creative. We encourage tutors to bring things that will make their lessons enjoyable, engaging, and memorable for their students.

Is Rural Program free?  

Volunteering on a TLG Rural Program is free for volunteers who have, or are willing and able to obtain, a concession SmartRider.

If you do not have a SmartRider concession, you will be required to contribute $50 towards transportation fees.

Once your place on a Rural Program has been confirmed, volunteers are also required to pay a $100 deposit. This deposit is fully refundable following completion of the Rural Program and all subsequent required tasks, provided the volunteer has adhered to TLG’s volunteer agreement. Please note that if you withdraw from the Rural Program early or do not complete your required commitments, the $100 deposit will not be refunded.

If attending a flight school (a school where a flight will be needed to get there), another deposit of $100 will be required as there are more costs associated with these programs. This will be refunded as well if the agreement was successfully followed.

For volunteers with a SmartRider concession, there is no participation cost, and the $100 deposit can be returned after successfully completing your Rural Program commitments.

What do I need before I go? 

All volunteers must either have or be willing and able to obtain a Working With Children Check (WWCC) for the applicable state. This is a requirement for anyone working directly with students.

New volunteers will attend a general training session that will introduce them to TLG’s goals, the impact of the Rural Program, and what to expect throughout the week, including program logistics.

The interactive training focuses on improving your tutoring skills and familiarising you with TLG’s teaching methodologies and lesson-planning strategies. You’ll also get to practise running one-on-one tutoring sessions with Perth students.

Program Launch

Before departing, all Rural Program volunteers attend Program Launch.

This is your opportunity to meet your coordinators and the other tutors who will be travelling with you.

Program Launch also includes presentations and interactive sessions from guest speakers and members of the TLG Student Executive Team, helping you feel confident, connected, and prepared to make the most of your Rural Program experience.

What about food? 

TLG provides food, which volunteers cook together each day. The Rural Program coordinators plan the meals and provide everything required, so volunteers do not have to worry about budgeting, dietary requirements, or paying for food while on the program.

Who will I go with? 

You will not be going to the Rural Program alone!

Each RP brings together a group of TLG volunteers, tutors, and coordinators, allowing you to meet and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.

The actual number of volunteers varies between Rural Programs, but you will be part of a close-knit team throughout the week.

You’ll spend a lot of time getting to know your team and making new friends — from tutoring and organising activities to cooking meals and relaxing together at the end of the day.

You may arrive without knowing anyone and leave with some of your closest new friends.

What's the difference between a Coordinator and a Volunteer? 

While both coordinators and volunteers play an important role in the Rural Program, their responsibilities vary throughout the week.

Volunteers primarily work directly with students. Depending on the RP stream, this could include tutoring, organising events, developing lesson plans, and designing enjoyable and engaging learning experiences. Volunteers also help with the program’s day-to-day operations, such as cooking, cleaning, and working as a team.

Coordinators are responsible for guiding and assisting the volunteer team throughout the Rural Program. They help organise the daily schedule, communicate with the school and local community, coordinate events, and ensure the program runs smoothly.

Coordinators are also available to assist volunteers if any concerns or questions arise during the week. Before each Rural Program, coordinators receive training from TLG to prepare them to support tutors through a range of situations that may arise, including medical emergencies and other unexpected circumstances. If something goes wrong, you won’t be expected to deal with it alone. Your coordinator will be there to support you and help determine the best course of action. Coordinators are also backed by the TLG team throughout the program, so additional support is available when needed.

TLG support. 

TLG also provides coverage for injuries that occur during the Rural Program. If you need to pay any eligible medical or injury-related costs out of pocket as a result of an incident during the program, TLG can assist with covering or reimbursing these costs, subject to the relevant insurance and TLG policies. This means you can focus on participating in the program knowing that support is available if an injury or medical situation occurs.

How Do We Get There and Where Do We Stay?

Your transportation and accommodation will be determined by the school to which you are assigned for the Rural Program, so each RP may differ slightly.

TLG provides transportation from the metropolitan region to remote communities. Depending on your school’s location, this may involve travelling together by bus or train using services such as Transwa, or flying to specific rural regions.

Staying at the school is the most typical accommodation option. Volunteers usually sleep together in a large shared space, such as a school library, using air mattresses and sleeping bags.

While the setup varies between schools, sharing these spaces is all part of the experience and provides volunteers with an opportunity to bond. There’s no need to worry if you have specific sleeping or accommodation requirements. TLG can work with you and the school to make suitable arrangements where possible, helping ensure you’re able to get the rest you need throughout the week.

What About Phone Service?

Phone coverage varies depending on the rural region you visit and where you stay. Mobile reception may be limited or unavailable in some regions, so be prepared to go without phone service.

While this may seem daunting at first, it can be one of the most rewarding aspects of the experience. RP allows you to step away from your daily routine, spend time with your teammates, and fully immerse yourself in the community.

Before departure, coordinators can provide more detailed information about phone coverage and communication alternatives at your assigned school.

Ready to apply for a Rural Program? 

Are you ready to join the TLG Rural Program?

Applying is the first step towards an experience where you can make a real impact, meet new people, learn new skills, and try something completely different from your typical routine.

You’ll challenge yourself, learn from the students and community around you, and become part of a team that shares the same goal: making a positive impact.

And when the week is over, you’ll come home with new skills, unforgettable experiences, and connections that can stay with you long after the Rural Program ends.

Whether you’re passionate about education, looking for a new challenge, want to give back, or simply want to try something new, there’s a place for you on Rural Program.

Ready to take the first step? Apply now.

Written by Emily Liu and Noah Poole