GIRLS ACADEMY QUARTERLY...Welcome to the third Girls Academy Quarterly for 2019. It’s been a busy few months in our Academies with Year 12s coming to the end of their schooling journey

October 2019

GIRLS ACADEMY QUARTERLY

Creating leaders in the community

Welcome to the third Girls Academy Quarterly for 2019. It’s been a busy few months in our Academies with Year 12s coming to the end of their schooling journey and looking ahead to the future. Both staff and students have worked hard and achieved great things this quarter.

RECORD NUMBER OF GRADUATESWe’ve seen excellent school attendance across the country and are on target for great high school graduation rates. Over the last three years we have steadily seen more girls graduating. In 2016, we saw 79% complete Year 12 or gain employment; this rose to 93% by the end of 2018.

GOOD LUCK TO OUR YEAR 12SAs our Academies begin their annual award ceremonies, it is worth reflecting that the end of the year is a finish line as well as the start of a new chapter for our Year 12s. So many students have been striving to reach their goals, and with the help of our expanding Post School Options team they have clear and ambitious plans for their future.

The end of high school is not the end of their association with Girls Academy, as our dedicated Post School staff work with graduates for up to two years after they finish high school; giving guidance, advice and assistance when needed.

We wish all of our students the best for their exams and the future.

INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT FORUM In September I had the honour of being a guest speaker at the National Indigenous Employment Forum, part of the National Indigenous Empowerment Summit organised by Akolade.

The Forum was a great opportunity to share ideas and learn from other experts in the field. We are always looking for opportunities to improve our program and build on our post school support. This is an area that will continue to grow as we experience more success with Year 12 graduations.

Ricky GraceCEO & FounderGirls Academy

OCTOBER 2019 GIRLS ACADEMY QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 2

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

CURRENTLY SUPPORTS

GIRLS ACADEMY SNAPSHOT

ABOUT US

OUR BIG 4 OBJECTIVES

2,860

140116

+11,20074%

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER GIRLS

MENTORS ARE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER WOMEN

GIRLS SUPPORTED SINCE 2004

STAFF WORK DIRECTLY WITH STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

Girls Academy is Australia’s leading in-school mentoring program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. The program has four key goals – increasing school attendance and engagement, improving graduation rates, encouraging personal and academic achievement, and facilitating planning for study and careers after high school.

Girls Academy is centred around a resourced Academy room on school grounds, staffed full-time by at least two mentors. Our staff deliver a comprehensive community-led program focused on mentoring; health, resilience and wellbeing; community leadership; and cultural connection.

INCREASE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

ADVANCE ACADEMIC AND PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT

FACILITATE POST-SCHOOL TRANSITION PLANNING

IMPROVE YEAR 12 GRADUATION RATES

OF

REMEMBERING UNCLE BARRY DENDUCKFour Queensland Girls Academies attended the fantastic Barry Denduck Memorial Day in Hervey Bay, an annual event that celebrates the life of a much-loved community member – the late Uncle Barry Denduck – who was heavily involved in local football.

The girls formed four OzTag teams and helped out on the day by doing front gate tickets, running kids’ activities in the Girls Academy tent (rock painting, play dough, face painting), and serving tea and coffee to Elders in the Elders shed.

It was a great family day with many awesome activities and we were proud to see the girls playing an important role at a local community event.

DUBBO SMASHES YEAR 12 GRADUATION RECORDCongratulations to Dubbo College who had a record number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students graduating this year – the Girls Academy program played a vital role in this awesome achievement. The program works towards the ultimate aim of increasing the number of Year 12 graduations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.

Two Dubbo Senior Girls Academy Year 12s appeared on national radio with Program Manager Tracey Piggott to speak about this great achievement. Tiarnie McBride and Tyrah Hausia did us proud on air.


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

KEMPSEY GIRLS TAKE ON THE BEST RUGBY TEAMS IN NSW“[This] has given the girls a brand-new focus… Attendance, behaviour, academic success and work ethic have all improved.”

This is what Kempsey Deputy Principal, Jed Peisley had to say about Girls Academy students who went to Sydney in September to take on the best rugby teams in New South Wales.

Girls Academy Development Officer Misty Kelly told the newspaper that the opportunity to play the sport they love at school has given the girls a renewed view of the academic environment. The girls featured in the Macleay Argus for their rugby achievements and great efforts in school.

INSPIRING PALMERSTON STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM POLICE CADETS PROGRAM Three Year 12 students from Palmerston Girls Academy recently graduated from the Police, Fire and Emergency Services CADETS Program.

Jasmin Duturbure, Matilda Walker and Yasmen Roe finished a Certificate II in Community Services and a Certificate III in Business over two years. The students also completed their First Aid, Bronze Medallion and Small Craft handling courses.

These girls are exceptional leaders in their school, Girls Academy and their community.


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

GIRLS ACADEMY STUDENTS ASK R U OK?Girls Academy raised awareness for R U OK? Day last September. Academies across the country came up with creative and colourful ways to commemorate the mental health awareness day.

Clontarf Girls Academy burst out of the blocks with some amazing events including an R U OK Day morning tea with great treats to eat, decorations, a photo booth, educational videos, raffles, and great conversations around checking in with one another.

Girrawheen Girls Academy turned their talents to the cause by creating inspirational memes while Singleton hosted a whole school afternoon tea. Meanwhile Maryborough Girls Academy joined forces with wellbeing staff to host a series of activities in the school library courtyard.

Palmerston Girls Academy students painted students’ faces and wrote positive messages in chalk on the concrete.

An amazing 320 students at Gunnedah participated in Gunnedah Girls Academy’s R U OK? event and the Girls Academy students and staff spelled out a message in an awesome aerial shot.


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

SUNS AND MAGPIES: NT STAFF BECOME STAR AFLW RECRUITSTwo of our Development Officers from Northern Territory Academies have recently been drafted by AFLW teams!

Tayla Thorn from Taminmin Girls Academy signed with the Gold Coast Suns in August. Tayla played for the Adelaide Crows in 2017 and for the NT Thunder in the VFLW since.

“I can bring different skill sets and leadership skills so I’m very excited to share that,” she said.

Also from NT Thunder, Palmerston staff member Machaelia Roberts has made history as the first female player from Groote Eylandt in East Arnhem Land to be drafted to an AFLW team. Deadly on and off the footy field, the 25-year-old mum of three has been picked up by Collingwood and is a star role model for our girls in the program.

Both Tayla and Machalie have been amazing mentors for the girls at Palmerston and Taminmin Academies.

UWA VISITClontarf Girls Academy visited the University of Western Australia in August and participated in a tour arranged by the School of Indigenous Studies - Shenton House.

The girls toured the different schools, exploring study and career options, and participated in a practical activity with the School of Sports Science.


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

CITY TO SURFKarratha Girls Academy students volunteered at the Chevron City to Surf in August, raising funds for Active Foundation.

The students started at 6:30am and worked handing out water and medals, and bagging equipment. The girls had a great time and hope to participate in the marathon themselves next year.

YOKAYI ART EXHIBITION A COMMUNITY SUCCESSThe Yokayi Art Program exhibition was a great success once again. Students from Balga and Kiara Girls Academies displayed their artworks at the event which was held at Edith Cowan University’s Mount Lawley campus. The program supports our goals to increase attendance, engagement and Year 12 completion. It is also a wonderful collaboration with the local community, arts and cultural organisations. Special guests on the night included former governor of WA and ECU Chancellor, Kerry Sanderson; Member for Mirrabooka, Janine Freeman MLA; and Girls Academy alumni Kirsty Kickett.

KIARA INSPIRED BY FEMALE BUSINESS LEADERS Kiara Girls Academy students were treated to a powerhouse of impressive women in leadership roles.

30 girls talked to a panel of seven leaders in their fields: Tara Martin, Inclusion and Indigenous Advisor - Asia Pacific from Wood; Steph Jones of Herbert Smith Freehills; Kate Wills from Bankwest; Westpac’s Manager of Indigenous Business Alicia Graham; and Natasha Shadforth from Moorditj Industries.

The women shared their personal stories and journey to success in their fields. The students had a lot of questions and learnt a great deal from the experience.

Elizabeth from Year 9 said, “I was very interested in their speech about their lives and what they have been through.”


ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

RIO TINTO VISITS COODANUPIn September Coodanup Girls Academy welcomed a visit from Erin Rundle, a Rio Tinto Advisor for Indigenous Employment.

Erin shared her story about her upbringing in Kalgoorlie, school experiences, and how she turned her life around. She spoke with the Year 10 and 11 students about her journey and the various career options available at Rio Tinto. Her story really resonated with the students and they look forward to hosting Erin again.

AUSTRALIS GIVES GIRLS OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIMEThree lucky students from Muswellbrook Girls Academy are the faces of an international campaign for Australian cosmetics company, Australis. The campaign was launched on October 11 to align with International Day of the Girl.

Lily Cubillo, Janarli Northey and Lequisha Yule went to Sydney for the photo shoot for ‘Fresh and Flawless’, which represents Australian women from diverse backgrounds in a campaign across Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and the Philippines.

Muswellbrook Girls Academy Program Manager Elizabeth Howard said they did an incredible job.

Lequisha said: “I always straighten my hair, so it was interesting that they loved my curls and embraced them in the photo shoot.”

A big thankyou goes to Australis for their support of Girls Academy and for providing this experience for Lily, Janarli and Lequisha.


PARTNER NEWS

DARWIN CUMMINS TOUR“Listening to the female employees and seeing the workshop really inspired me. I can see myself working at Cummins.”

Those were the words of Jade Archer from Taminmin Girls Academy after a Cummins Inc ‘Women in Automotive’ event in Darwin. Jade has recently completed a Certificate I in Automotive.

Both Taminmin and Palmerston students attended the event where female employees from Cummins shared their personal career journeys and insight into working in this field. The girls were also treated to a tour of the workplace.

The Girls Academy partnership with Cummins is vital in encouraging Indigenous girls to take up STEM careers.

COODANUP ACADEMY VISITCoodanup Girls Academy recently hosted Cummins staff member Brooke Jacka, who spoke with the students about her career pathway. Brooke works for Cummins as a Global OnBoarding Specialist and is part of the Women’s Leadership Network Group in Adelaide.

GIRLS IN AUTOMOTIVE EVENT RESULTS IN POTENTIAL TRAINEESHIPCummins recently hosted a Girls in Automotive event in Perth to encourage more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls into engineering. One of the students who attended has now secured an interview for a traineeship with Cummins.


PARTNER NEWS

INPEX AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE DARWINIn August the INPEX Corporation Board of Directors held its first ever meeting outside of Japan in Darwin, symbolising the importance of INPEX Ichthys LNG Project and the Northern Territory in supporting the company’s vision for the future.

INPEX is an important supporter of Girls Academy. Girls Academy staff attended a reception at the Northern Territory Parliament House held after the INPEX Board of Directors were welcomed by Chief Minister Michael Gunner and members of his Cabinet. Also in attendance was Irene Stainton, INPEX Manager of Aboriginal Affairs, as well as community, industry and other business leaders.

SWINBURNE BRINGS ‘FASHEAMING’ WORKSHOP TO BROOMEBroome Girls Academy students took part in an immersive workshop that focuses on personal empowerment through culture, design and storytelling.

The three-day fashion and dreaming – or ‘Fasheaming’ – workshop was organised through Swinburne University of Technology and Lyn-Al Young who is a Gunnai, Wiradjuri, Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta fashion designer and artist. The workshop provided fun, hands-on activities and tools for students to explore creative industry pathways and careers.

On the final day of the project, students modelled their silk designs on the stunning Starsand Yacht, which took the girls out on a Whale Watching Tour.


PARTNER NEWS

JOHN LAING GROUP CAREER TALK IN SYDNEYSingleton and Muswellbrook Academy girls enjoyed a fun day out in Sydney in August, meeting with representatives from Girls Academy partner John Laing Group, who spoke in-depth with the students about career opportunities in their sector. The girls also learnt a lot about the big Sydney light rail infrastructure project.

CITY OF BUNBURY SUPPORT NEWTON MOORE PROGRAMThe City of Bunbury is generously supporting Newton Moore Girls Academy with $75,000 over the next five years.

The City will provide $15,000 every year for five years to both Girls Academy and to Newton Moore’s Clontarf program for boys.

Development Officer Cassandra Pipe said: “We are incredibly excited about this funding from the City of Bunbury. This funding will help us to improve the educational outcomes for our Academy members by purchasing supplies for our homework club. We now have several students on track to study at university when they complete high school. Providing them access to school supplies greatly increases our students’ potential to succeed.”


PARTNER NEWS

INDYANNA NARRIER

Indyanna Narrier is blazing a trail. A 2018 Clontarf Girls Academy graduate, she was the first woman in her family to graduate high school.

Our Post School Options team caught up with Indyanna recently at her workplace, Kooya Fleet Solutions. She is working in a business administration role and will be starting a Certificate IV in Business Administration soon.

Sharna Collard, the director of Kooya, has taken Indyanna under her wing and is exposing her not only to fleet operations, but also to the cultural awareness training she runs with Kooya Consultancy.

Indyanna loved being part of the Girls Academy and is still in touch with friends she made from around Australia through attending the Girls Academy Year 12 Summit last year.

When she is not working Indyanna enjoys playing hockey and will start saving for her dream car, a Jeep Wrangler soon.

MARIAH HANSENMariah Hansen, a former Girls Academy student at Clontarf, is making a big impact in Tom Price.

“Girls Academy definitely had a big impact, it made a big difference for us girls... It was a really good emotional support for us.” she said. “The teachers were … always up for a yarn in the Academy room.”

After high school Mariah moved to Tom Price, where she lives with her partner and their three children.

“I have been doing a lot of work with the local community in Tom Price with the young Indigenous students. I do a lot of volunteering including coaching basketball. It’s a little community and everyone does their bit.”

Mariah has been a star on the field, runner up best and fairest in her football team, best and fairest in her netball team, and best on ground in last year’s footy grand final. She has been very active in coaching young people in sport.

“I prefer to be able to give back to the community, to help someone who may be able to go far someday.”


WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Palmerston(2 locations)

Humpty Doo

Alice Springs

Bundaberg(3 locations) Hervey Bay

(2 locations)Maryborough (2 locations)

KununurraDerby

Broome

Roebourne

Karratha

MandurahBunbury Esperance

Kalgoorlie(2 locations)

Coonamble

Tamworth(2 locations)

Gunnedah

Muswellbrook

Dubbo(3 locations)

Singleton

Kempsey(2 locations)

Narromine

Orange

Geraldton

Barambah(2 locations)

Perth (8 locations)

(2 locations)

*Locations as of October 2019


PROGRAM LOCATIONS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Broome Broome Senior High SchoolBunbury Newton Moore Senior High SchoolDerby Derby District High SchoolEsperance Esperance Senior High SchoolGeraldton Geraldton Senior High SchoolKalgoorlie Eastern Goldfields College Kalgoorlie Boulder Senior High SchoolKarratha Karratha Senior High SchoolKununurra East Kimberley CollegeMandurah 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 College Swan View Senior High SchoolRoebourne Roebourne District High School

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Alice Springs Centralian Middle School Centralian Senior CollegeHumpty Doo Taminmin CollegePalmerston Palmerston College 7 - 9 Campus Palmerston College 10 - 12 Campus

NEW SOUTH WALES

Coonamble 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

QUEENSLAND

Barambah Cherbourg State School Murgon State High SchoolBundaberg Bundaberg State High School Bundaberg North State High School Kepnock State High SchoolHervey Bay Hervey Bay State High School Urangan State High SchoolMaryborough Aldridge State High School Maryborough State High School

CONNECT WITH USWe love keeping you updated with what’s happening at the Girls Academy so be sure to follow us on Social Media!

If you’d like to support the Girls Academy you can donate directly by visitingwww.givenow.com.au/indigenousgirlsacademy

The Girls Academy is an initiative of Role Models and Leaders Australia ABN 41 236 400 793

@girlsacademyaustralia

@girlsacademyaustralia

@theGirlsAcademy

Girls Academy

UPCOMING EVENTSFrom now through to the end of the year, our Academies are hosting their annual awards ceremonies. The Academy Awards recognises the achievements of girls who have worked hard over the year to succeed at school. They also give Academies the opportunity to thank all our partners for their continued support of Girls Academy.

505 Newcastle Street, West Perth WA 6005 | 1300 833 904 | [email protected] | www.girlsacademy.com.au

Documents

GIRLS ACADEMY QUARTERLY...Welcome to the third Girls Academy Quarterly for 2019. It’s been a busy few months in our Academies with Year 12s coming to the end of their schooling journey