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STEMM – Supporting Teenagers with Education, Mothering and Mentoring By Educating a Mother, You Educate a Family

2019 was another successful year with 7 graduating students. Families, loved

ones and community members came together to celebrate the success of the

young mums.

STEMM students achieved certified outcomes in the following disciplines:

• Tertiary Preparation Pathway Program

• Certificate II in Business

• Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

• First Aid

• Barista Training

Thanks to your generosity, the young mothers and their children have

been given the space to grow, learn and nurture their child.

Our Tertiary Preparation

Pathway Graduates

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Our young mums and their children have been provided with a number of new

opportunities throughout 2019.

In term 1 we saw the roll out of a new course - the Certificate II in Business.

This course was delivered in response to a number of mothers showing interest

in wanting to work from home and produce an income. The skills learnt from

Hetty and her Tasje Social Business Enterprise, enabled the young mothers to

upcycle and recycle which lead to the making of baby slings, a sandpit cover

and scrunchies.

Through the CWA Country Kitchens Program our mums were shown how to

prepare healthy meals for themselves and their children on a budget.

Baby Slings designed and sewn in the Tasje

Social Business Enterprise Class

CWA Country Kitchens Cooking and

Nutrition Program

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Our young mums gaining a First Aid Certificate is a priority at STEMM each

year. In partnership with the National First Aid Training Institute (NFTI),

STEMM runs a first aid and CPR refresher course so that the mothers have

basic first aid knowledge in case of an emergency. First aid is also a course

requirement of the Certificate III in Early Childhood, Education and Care.

In a first at STEMM, Universal Taekwon-Do delivered an adapted six week

course on self-defence to the mums. Using pressure points on the body and

proximity, the mums were shown size doesn’t matter if you know where to

aim.

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‘Seeds of Resistance’ was a month-long program run through the Nambour

Community Centre. Chairs were decorated and hand-written messages were

placed around the town centre to provide support and acknowledgement for

the many women and children affected by domestic violence.

STEMM participants Makayla and Takisha sharing their

experiences of being a young parent at the National

Symposium for the Australian Young Pregnant and Parenting

Network

In August, STEMM staff were the convenors for the National Symposium for

the Australian Young Pregnant and Parenting Network. The Symposium was

titled ‘What it Takes’ and focused on the critical factors needed to support

pregnant and parenting young families. The 2 day event which was held at

Maroochy RSL saw attendees from around Australia engage in professional

learnings with prominent speakers including Megan Mitchell, Commissioner

for Young People, the Hon. Di Farmer, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and

Women and Dr Iain Hay, Academic Director, Macquarie University.

Seeds of Resistance Chair delivered to

Nambour Police Station

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In 2019, The Coffee Training Co. from Noosa served up the skills and

knowledge needed to complete Barista training. Twelve of our young mums

obtained their Barista certificate which enables them to gain employment

within the hospitality industry.

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Term 4 culminated with swimming lessons, an invaluable experience for our

mums and bubs as they are shown activities to practise with their child to

help develop an awareness of safety in the water. Nambour Aquatic Centre

provided a safe and inclusive space for the mums to attend with their

children to complete age appropriate activities and enjoy some one-on-one

time together.

The year wound up with the 2019 STEMM graduation and Santa visiting the

children for our end of year Christmas picnic. The children completed their

year at STEMM with a visit to Wildlife HQ. Once again, the mothers and their

children were blessed with the generosity of hampers and a gift to place

under the Christmas tree.

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2020 is set to be an exciting and productive year with the introduction of a

Certificate II Salon Assistant course combined with a Certificate II in Retail

Cosmetics. Along with new friends and continued community support, the sky

is the limit and we are just that little bit closer thanks to your help.

The staff and students at STEMM wish you a Merry Christmas. Stay safe and

we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year!