ProspectusGirls Academy Program

Girls are one of the most powerful forces for change in the world: When their rights are recognised, their needs are met, and their voices are heard, they drive positive change in their families, their communities, and the world.

Kathy Calvin, United Nations Foundation President & CEO (2015)

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The Girls Academy Program is community-led and provides comprehensive in-school support to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls the tools they need to engage in their education, achieve their goals and change their communities.

ABOUT US

The Girls Academy is the leading provider of school-based engagement programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Australia.

The Girls Academy is a full-time program and centres around an Academy room within the school which acts as a sanctuary for the girls to convene and connect before, during and after school.

Each Academy is staffed by a minimum of two female mentors who work full time

with the girls to provide auntie & big sister style mentoring and support. 80% of our staff are highly accomplished Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women sourced from the local community.

The program is community driven and each Academy is steered by locally based advisory committees comprising of members from the community, schools, staff and supporters.

The organisation was founded in 2004 by Olympian and champion basketballer Ricky Grace (MEdL, BPolSc) to address the inequality in investment in school-based engagement programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

Academy girls graduate the program armed with the knowledge, skills, and formal plan required to transition into post-school life. Academy girls are ready to make a great contribution to our nation and to be part of the social change that is Closing the Gap.

The Girls Academy operates out of 42 school sites throughout WA, NSW, NT and QLD and provides support to over 2,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

The program’s funding model consists of one third each from the Federal Government, the relevant State or Territory Government, and from the corporate/philanthropic sector.

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We employ post school options staff to assist girls to transition from school into further education, training, or employment.

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“ We know the power of positive role modelling; how vital it is for girls growing up to see

the success of their contemporaries, and through education, experience and

example, for it to come within their grasp.

UN Women (2017)

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Educated girls have the potential to be powerful catalysts for change in their communities. The Girls Academy equips girls with the tools, knowledge and confidence required to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Program activities are designed with emphasis on the ‘Big 4’ objectives, to;

1. Increase school attendance

2. Advance academic and personal achievement

3. Improve year 12 graduation rates

4. Facilitate post-school transition planning

These objectives are met through a wide range of program elements, including, but not limited to:

• One-on-one mentoring and support

• Cultural connection

• Empowerment programs

• Sport and extra-curricular activities; and a

• Structured reward system

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

19.4% increase in Year 12 graduation rates from 2016 to 2017.

Girls Academy attendance sat 7.7%, on average, higher than the all-Indigenous cohort over the past 4 years.

ALL Girls Academy students graduate with a clear post-school plan.

80% of 2017 Year 12 graduates are in further education, training or employment.

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When we empower women and girls, we empowera community and a nation. We empower the world.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General (2013)

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The Girls Academy has a permanent base within the school: the Girls Academy Room. This is a safe and nurturing sanctuary for the girls to connect with each other and Academy staff before, during and after school. The Academy rooms have an ‘open door’ policy, which allows students access to staff support at any time.

The Girls Academy rooms feature a lounge area, study space, games/activities and kitchenette stocked with fresh fruit, breakfast and lunch foods and healthy snacks. The rooms are also personalised with photos, posters and other items to make the girls feel at home.

The Girls Academy differs from most other programs;

• We are embedded in each school in which we operate with a dedicated Girls Academy room.

• We work in partnership with schools and their community to significantly improve educational and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

• Each Academy is staffed by a minimum of two full time mentors; Program Manager and Development Officer(s).

• Outcomes are reported directly to the Australian government, the appropriate State or Territory Department of Education and School Principal, corporate partners and relevant stakeholders.

• We are steered by a local Advisory Committee made up of Academy staff, Principal and school representatives, local community members and other key stakeholders.

• Each Academy provides a tailored program to recognise local issues and priorities.

• We collaborate with other services by facilitating the delivery of their programs, as appropriate, within the Girls Academy program.

• We ensure all girls have post-school plans and we employ specialist post-school options staff to assist girls to transition from school into further education, training, or employment.

PROGRAM FEATURES

A SAFE LEARNING SPACE

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When women have health care and women have education, families are stronger, communities are more prosperous, children do better in school, nations are more prosperous.

If you want your country to grow and succeed, you have to empower your women Barack Obama (2015)

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Core Program Components

“I AM ME, I AM BEAUTIFUL”(Well Being)

• Healthy Relationships• Confidence Building Activities

• Self Esteem/Body Esteem Workshops• Resilience & Mental Health Sessions

• Respecting/Valuing Differences

“IMAGINE”(Future Pathways and Careers)

• Post-School Pathways• Resume Writing & Mock Interviews

• Career & Employment Forums• Goal Setting & Study Skills

• School-based Traineeship Support

“CULTURAL CONNECTIONS”(Cultural Knowledge and Understanding)

• Local Elders and Community Engagement• Traditional Cook-Ups

• Music, Art & Dance Projects/Workshops• Indigenous Role Models & Guest Speakers

• Host/Attend Cultural Events

“BE THE CHANGE”(Community Engagement & Leadership)

• Team-building Sessions & Self-Evaluations• Volunteering/Giving Back

• Leadership Committee/Program• Strengthen External Partnerships

• Stakeholder Engagement

“HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND”(Physical Activity, Health & Nutrition)

• Health Sessions & Workshops• Nutrition & Healthy Cooking• Fun and Fitness Activities

• Team Sports Training• Sporting Competitions & Carnivals

ACTIVITY OVERVIEW

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WHAT IS CLOSING THE GAP?Closing the Gap refers to the urgent need to close the unacceptable gap between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous measures of health and well-being.

Closing the Gap is a Federal Government priority but it requires intensive and sustained efforts from all levels of government, private and not-for-profit sectors, communities and individuals to improve the opportunities and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

THE GIRLS ACADEMY IS ACTIVELY WORKING TOWARDS CLOSING THE GAP.

CLOSING THE GAP

CLOSING THE GAP TARGET Halve the gap for Indigenous Australians in Year 12 Attainment

There was a 19.4% increase in Girls Academy Year 12 graduation rates from 2016 to 2017.

None of my family have graduated so I want to make

sure that I am the first grand-child and child to graduate and receive a lot of opportunities.

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CLOSING THE GAP TARGET Halve the gap for Indigenous children in reading, writing and numeracy

Girls Academy staff provide one-on-one mentoring and academic support bothin-class and outside of classroom hours.

My reading levels are getting better since being in the

Girls Academy.

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CLOSING THE GAP TARGET Halve the gap in employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians

84% of 2017 Girls Academy Year 12 graduates are in further education, training or employment.

I wanna graduate school and work for a big mining company. When I graduate I’ve got heaps of choices.

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CLOSING THE GAP TARGET Close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

The Girls Academy provides invaluable health, well-being and nutrition support to Aboriginal girls.

The Girls Academy has allowed me to grow into a young woman with confidence and a posit ive

outlook for my future.

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CLOSING THE GAP TARGETClose the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous school attendance

National Girls Academy attendance rates have sat an average of 7.7% higher than the all Indigenous cohort over the past 4 years.

The Girls Academy is a good way to get us girls to come to school and not feel isolated. It makes

me feel comfortable and it makes school a whole lot easier.

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*All quotations in this document were provided by Girls Academy students Page 11

Historically there has been a serious gender imbalance in investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educational support programs.

Observations are that investment in boys’ programs still significantly outweighs investment in girls’ programs.

This leads to girls’ programs being under resourced and girls receiving less support.

There are many barriers preventing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls from completing their education and reaching their full potential;

1. Alcohol and Drug Foundation 2016. 2. Health Info Net 2016. 3. Swinburne University of Technology 2016. 4. Creative Spirits 2016. 5. Creative Spirits 2016. 6. Creative Spirits 2016. 7. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016. 8. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2011. 9. Nick Parr, Macquarie University. 10. Gina Rushton, The Australian. 11. Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing 2015.

GENDER INEQUITY

Rates 5.48% higher than non-Indigenous rates2

TEEN PREGNANCY

Over 1/3 Aboriginal women don’t live past 45 years old4

POOR HEALTH & NUTRITION

30% of all incarcerated women are Indigenous6

INCARCERATION CYCLE

1.6 x more likely to use an illicit drug than non-Indigenous1

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Suicide rates more than double that of non-Indigenous females7

MENTAL ILLNESS

Approximately 10 years less than non-Indigenous women5

SHORT LIFE EXPECTANCY

35x as likely to be hospitalised dueto family violence-related assaults3

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

DOMESTIC BURDENS

LACK OF TERTIARY EDUCATIONLOW EDUCATION LEVELS

27% lower than the national average9

YEAR 12 GRADUATION RATES LOW EMPLOYMENT FIGURES

These issues result in;

Many girls must cook, clean and care for siblings

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Unemployment rate is 4 x higher than non-Indigenous11

Indigenous students make up 1.3% of university population10

Retention rates from Years 7 to 12 are 33.2% lower8

WESTERN AUSTRALIABroome: Broome Senior High SchoolBunbury: Newton Moore Senior High SchoolDerby: Derby District High SchoolEsperance: Esperance Senior High SchoolKalgoorlie: Eastern Goldfields College Kalgoorlie Boulder Senior High SchoolKarratha: Karratha Senior High SchoolKununurra: Kununurra District High SchoolMandurah: Coodanup CollegePerth: Balga Senior High School Cecil Andrews College Challis Community Primary School Clontarf Aboriginal College Girrawheen Senior High School Kiara College St Brigid’s CollegeRoebourne: Roebourne District High School

NORTHERN TERRITORYAlice Springs: Centralian Middle School Centralian Senior College Humpty Doo: Taminmin CollegePalmerston: Palmerston College 7-9 Campus Palmerston College 10-12 Campus

NEW SOUTH WALESCoonamble: Coonamble High SchoolDubbo: Dubbo College, Senior Campus Dubbo College, South Campus Dubbo College, Delroy CampusGunnedah: Gunnedah High SchoolKempsey: Kempsey High School Melville High SchoolMuswellbrook: Muswellbrook High SchoolNarromine Narromine High SchoolOrange: Canobolas Rural Technology High SchoolTamworth: Oxley High School Tamworth High SchoolSingleton: Singleton High School

QUEENSLANDBundaberg: Bundaberg State High School Bundaberg North State High SchoolHervey Bay: Hervey Bay State High School Urangan State High SchoolKepnock: Kepnock State High SchoolMaryborough: Aldridge State High School Maryborough State High School

* Locations as of October 2018

ACADEMY LOCATIONS

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The staff have been 2 extra mums to me, always giving me advice, making me finish my assignments, laughing with me and opening new doors for myself and the others to get far in life.

“My grades are up and staying up. I study and get assignments done in the Girls Academy room and their help has taken the pressure off of doing high school by myself.

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The Girls Academy remind me its all going to be worth it, that all this hard work is going to pay off. That just makes me feel at ease and gives me an attitude of never giving up.

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My mum first suggested I join the Girls Academy. I started taking an interest in my school work, my self esteem went up and I started to feel comfortable being at school.

“ My favourite thing about the Girls Academy is the help I get from all the staff and the girls in the Academy, all of the sporting opportunities and learning about our culture.

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It brings all of the girls together, we have lots of fun experiences and the Girls Academy helps me to achieve my goals.

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There are so many opportunities that the Girls Academy provides us with. I never thought I’d accomplish so many things and have so many positive experiences.

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This program has been my rock; it is such a positive opportunity for young girls like myself to be given.

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Girls Academy was my life saver. It has allowed me to come to school to learn and to not worry about how I was going to get there. I receive so much support and I can ask for help when I need to.

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Girls Academy has become my safe place. They take the time to get to know us, and make the effort to try and understand the problems that we are facing.

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Since being part of the Girls Academy I am confident and aware of life after school.

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My favourite thing about the girls academy is coming together, being happy, yarning, playing sports, learning lots of new things and being leaders.

“I’d like to become a Girls Academy staff member to help more Indigenous girls graduate, and to help them reach their full potential.

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If there were no Girls Academy here I don’t think I would have enough confidence to meet new people and succeed to finish Year 12.

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I don’t know how I would cope with school and the struggles that come with life without the Girls Academy. They’re continuously telling me I’m going to make it. They’ve said it that many times, I’m starting to believe it.

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I never used to go to school until Girls Academy came along. When Girls Academy came along I realised that I was no longer alone and I wanted to go to school.

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If there was no Girls Academy at my school I would feel lost because the Girls Academy are like our friends and they’re always there when you need them.

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GIVE - Tax deductible one-off financial donations or regular giving programs. Call us, visit our website www.girlsacademy.com.au or donate directly at givenow.com.au/indigenousgirlsacademy

SPONSOR - Talk to us about the many options to sponsor the Academy through supporting events, equipment purchase, training and development, travel and so on. We can tailor a Sponsorship program just for you.

PARTNER - We foster collaborative and strategic partnerships that create lasting change, which benefits all stakeholders. Contact us to discuss.

FOLLOW us on facebook.com (girlsacademyaustralia), Instagram (girlsacademyaustralia), Twitter (@theGirlsAcademy) and Linkedin (Girls Academy - Role Models and Leaders Australia).

JOIN our mailing list and keep up to date on Academy news and events. Subscribe at www.girlsacademy.com.au

GIVING CIRCLE - The Girls Academy Giving Circle is a joint initiative of the Girls Academy and a group of volunteers who donate their time, talent and/or money to the Girls Academy Program.

To join this philanthropic venture visit www.girlsacademy.com.au/support-us or call 1300 833 904 to find out more.

WORKPLACE GIVING - Workplace Giving allows you to deduct a small pre-tax contribution in line with your pay day. All you need to do is complete one simple form (contact us) and give that to your payroll department and your donation will automatically appear on your group certificate. If you are an employer, ask us about establishing Workplace Giving for your organsiation.

ONLINE SHOPPING - Host the Girls Academy on your organisations online store to promote charitable donations to the partner customer base.

POINT OF SALE TRANSACTIONS - Feature the Girls Academy as a donation recipient at your store and customers can elect to donate a small amount at the point of sale.

CHAMPION - You can become a strong campaigner and advocate for the girls by telling others about us. Join and share our mailing list, social media accounts and become part of the conversation.

Approximately 2,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls living in metro, rural and remote areas of Australia currently enrolled in the program will benefit directly and these benefits will flow to;

• their families,• their communities,• future generations of Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

By improving educational outcomes, our girls have more and better employment opportunities, which in turn supports strong communities that grow healthy and happy families. This ultimately results in inter-generational change and a closing of the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous measures of well-being.

Conversely, poor school attendance results in disruption to education which often leads to failure to achieve core skills such as literacy and numeracy. There is a strong correlation between this and truancy, crime and risky behaviour leading to persistent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage, a welfare existence and widening of the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous measures of well-being.

There is a positive connection between The Girls Academy program and improved educational outcomes, leading to a better quality of life.

BENEFITS EXTEND BEYOND EACH GIRL

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE GIRLS ACADEMY?

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CONTACT USGirls Academy 420 Newcastle Street, West Perth WA

P: 1300 833 904 e: info@girlsacademy.com.au

www.girlsacademy.com.au

GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCEThe Girls Academy program is an initiative of Role Models and Leaders Australia. Role Models and Leaders Australia Ltd is registered with the regulatory body, the Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission and has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.

RMLA Audited financials are available for viewing via www.acnc.gov.au

80% of funding is utilised directly in delivering the programs to the girls ‘in the field’.

Charity ABN 41 236 400 793

@girlsacademyaustralia @girlsacademyaustralia@theGirlsAcademy Girls Academy