Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women students are taking part in a pilot motivating mentoring program.
Minister for Education and Training, Sue Ellery said the trial of the Stars Foundation program would run at Newman Senior High School and Butler College in Perth.
“Stars Foundation staff will work with the school communities this year to identify the needs of the students before the program starts in 2021,” Ms Ellery said.
“The program provides mentoring and targeted support to improve the health and education outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women.”
She said the program at Newman Senior High School would operate full time in a dedicated ‘Stars Room’ supporting students to develop their confidence, self-esteem and the life skills needed for school and beyond.
“Students will work with mentors and will have the opportunity to take part in a range of extracurricular activities including sport, art, music and dance, as well as community, cultural and volunteering activities,” Ms Ellery said.
The Minister also announced that a new Clontarf Academy program would be introduced in 2021 at Newman Senior High School for Aboriginal boys and young men.
The Clontarf Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that started in Western Australia in 2000 and assists in the education and employment of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
“Clontarf Academy staff will tap into teenage boys’ enthusiasm for sport to initially encourage them to go to school, and then keep them attending. There are currently 30 academies operating at Western Australian public schools this year,” the Minister said.
