Teacher Oliver Harris is top of the class in education for ill students at Royal Children’s Hospital

THE lessons teacher Oliver Harris delivers go far beyond the three Rs as he works from a Royal Children’s Hospital bedside rather than a classroom.

Oliver Harris has been nominated for a PRide of Australia Medal. He is the teacher at the Royal Children's Hospital and devotes his time to nurturing, entertaining and educating children whiole they are at the RCH, giving them an important piece of normal life. Oliver is with bone cancer patient'student Nathan Forsyth 13 yrs Picture: Norm Oorloff

THE lessons teacher Oliver Harris delivers go far beyond the three Rs.

Teaching from a Royal Children’s Hospital bedside rather than a classroom, Mr Harris’s lessons are equal parts education, escape and an inspiration for his very special students.

For children battling cancer and other serious illnesses, the one-on-one tutoring through the RCH Education Institute not only allows them to keep up with school work, it also gives them a break from their treatment and a offers taste of normal life.

“As a teacher I love seeing them forgetting about their illness — I don’t see their illness, I just see them as a student and I want them to learn as much as they can while I am with them in each session,” Mr Harris said.

“It is inspiring to see these children grow as learners during my sessions. It’s an absolute joy and a privilege to work here with the the students and their family to create an environment where they feel normal.”

After a decade-long marketing career Mr Harris threw it in to go back to university and ”do something more purposeful and rewarding”.

Soon after graduating in 2012 he joined the RCH and now thrives, delivering one-on-one lessons for long-term patients in the hospital lasting between 10 and 40 minutes a session, depending on the daily health of his students.

Free from the confines of a school and large class, Mr Harris said his greatest joy was getting to fully bond with his students so he can deliver lessons tailored specifically for their interests, but which reinforce the work done at the schools when they return.

Mr Harris dedication to his students has now inspired others to nominate him for a Pride of Australia award.

Having missed all of Year 7 to concentrate on fighting cancer, Nathan Forsyth, 13, and his family are getting the most from Mr Harris’s daily lessons.

“Nathan has been sick for so long and it’s so nice to have him doing something which is not only education, but fun at the same time,” Nathan’s mother Eli said.

To nominate a local legend go to heraldsun.com.au/prideofaustralia

Nominations close on Sunday at midnight