The Department of Education has launched a new pilot program to attract Aboriginal girls and young women to play netball as a way of giving them a greater engagement and attendance at school.
The Shooting Stars Program to start in Whyalla, targets Aboriginal girls and young women in Years three to 10, encouraging them to use activities such as sport to encourage personal goal setting, health and wellbeing.
Minister for Education, John Gardner said the Program, which aligned with the Department’s Aboriginal Education Strategy and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, would follow a young person’s journey through school.
Mr Gardner said the Program would start in Whyalla Stuart R-7 School, Nicholson Avenue Primary School and Hinks Avenue Primary School, progressing to Whyalla Secondary College in 2023 and remaining primary schools in 2024.
He said the Program had the potential to reach 150 young Aboriginal children and students and would boost confidence and strengthen positive attitudes.
“Engaging with successful programs like Shooting Stars will empower our young Aboriginal students to achieve great things in their educational journey,” Mr Gardner said.
“I look forward to seeing it operate with a South Australian lens, bringing together young Aboriginal women and girls in Whyalla to inspire and encourage each other to be their very best.”
Executive Officer of Shooting Stars, Fran Haintz said community collaboration and engagement was vital to the success of the Program.
“Our vision is to empower Aboriginal girls and women through both our participants and staff,” Ms Haintz said.
“Our Program provides employment pathways for local Aboriginal women in their communities whilst giving our participants strong Aboriginal role models to look up to.”
Further information about the Program can be accessed at this PS News link.
