A program that supports and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls launched at Challis Community Primary School this week.
The Girls Academy is an Australia-wide program run largely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women at more than 30 schools.
Girls Academy staff work with groups of children as mentors to engage them in sport, culture and empowerment activities.
The program targets improving school attendance, academic and personal achievement and graduation rates among Indigenous girls.
For high school students it also provides assistance with post-school transitioning into university, TAFE or work.
Challis Community Primary School will be the first primary school to host the program and the Challis launch event included speeches by Challis Community Primary School principal Lee Musumeci, Member for Armadale Tony Buti, Armadale mayor Henry Zelones, and a traditional dance performed by Kiara Girls Academy students.
Ms Musumeci said she was hopeful the program would have a big impact on the school’s indigenous girls and their families.
“Together we can make sure you have a good experience when you get to school,” she said.
“We’re here to support you and walk alongside you and your families to make sure you have excellent opportunities in your life.
“Aim high, achieve well and think big.”
The organisation currently supports 2000 Australian girls but hoped to increase that number to 3500 by 2019.
Challis Community Primary School had more than 120 Indigenous students in 2016 and Challis Girls Academy program manager Shantelle Cox said she was looking forward to her first experience supporting primary school students.
“When Challis Community Primary School was chosen as a site for Girls Academy I saw much potential for it to be a strategy to engage and keep Aboriginal girls in school,” she said.
“The motto for Girls Academy is Develop a Girl – Change the Community.”
Challis student Breanna Avsar, 12, said one of her main motivations returning to school this term was to get involved with Girls Academy.
“By being part of the Girls Academy family I have been able to participate in leadership training and lots of other exciting activities,” she said.
The program officially launched at the school on October 16.
A similar program will also launch at Cecil Andrews College this week.
