Girls Academy - Ember Connect

20/07/2022

It’s been a while since we last posted… we’ve been working hard since the closure of Girls Academy to develop an exciting new program – Ember Connect!

Ember Connect is building the largest community of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women in the country. Our FREE digital platform will connect thousands of women and give them access to personal and professional development, career development and job opportunities as well as a powerful cultural connection.

We want to CONNECT, ELEVATE and IGNITE! 🔥🔥🔥

We would love our Girls Academy women to join our community.

And anyone who registers on our platform before 31 August will go into a draw to win a $500 visa gift card.

Check out our website: www.emberconnect.com.au. And please share this with your friends and family!

Find out more by watching the video below.

Ember Connect Live is a completely free, closed membership community for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women aged 18 and over.It’s a living and br...

29/01/2021

Due to a discontinuation of Federal government funding through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), as of the 29 January 2001, the operation of the Girl’s Academy program by Role Models and Leaders Australia (RMLA) has been put on hold. RMLA wishes to make it clear that the NIAA is continuing funding of school programs supporting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander girls through other providers.

The Board of Role Models and Leaders Australia is currently considering the program’s future and the community services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls that may be delivered by the organisation into the future. There will be no further posts until the Board is in a position to provide an update. Posts and messages will not be monitored during this time. If you have any enquiries, please email [email protected] and we will respond in due course.

24/12/2020

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your continued support of our program. Everyone knows what a crazy year 2020 has been and it's safe to say most of us will be happy to see the back of it. From our mob to yours, have a truly wonderful festive season. We hope you are surrounded by love, light and laughter.

23/12/2020

This stunning piece of artwork was created by students from Melville Girls Academy. Staff encouraged the girls to create something that symbolised connection in a year when everyone often felt disconnected, due to COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions. The girls’ handprints, laying over the top of one another, represent their relationships with the Academy, school and community — beautiful bonds that have grown stronger in difficult times. It is such an eyecatching painting we chose it for the cover of our December Quarterly, which you can read in full at girlsacademy.com.au.

22/12/2020

We know the difference Girls Academy makes, but there's nothing more rewarding than hearing just how much our support means to the families of the girls in our program. Messages like the one below, from a parent whose daughter had been helped through a very sensitive situation. It's just one example of not just the sensitivity and care of our staff but the way they empower the girls to be forces for change.

"Thank you very much for taking care of my daughter regarding this incident. It is hard for a parent to have the right reaction and so many variables in a 'he said, she said' situation at school. I wanted my daughter to know that there is a better way of dealing with this type of hurtful word and that Girls Academy will have the knowledge and guidance she needed. This was the first time she has experienced this kind of situation and it was very hurtful confronting and confusing for her.

"Thank you for allowing her to take those steps to being strong and independent and to support her emotionally. My hope is that she forgets what was said about her and she only has positive memories of the women who were there when she felt lost and confused. These are the experiences that will help shape who she is.

"Thank you very much Girls Academy for giving my daughter the knowledge, guidance and support she needed. It is a powerful feeling knowing that my little girl is cared for at school and not just at home."

21/12/2020

"I love working with my work mates knowing I'm trying to make a change in our community."

Shauna Parfitt has had a big year, moving from Geraldton to Perth after graduating Year 12 to do a certificate II in business management at Noongar Mia Mia (NMM), in Maylands.

NMM is a First Nations owned and controlled company that provides and manages rental accommodation exclusively for First Nations people and their families.

Since starting in September, Shauna has been busy writing letters to tenants, been out on inspections and keeping folders up-to-date for tenants/properties.

"It's working with other Indigenous people who make you feel comfortable in your own skin and make you feel at home," she says. "In the future, I plan to work through my units and gain more knowledge and qualifications, so that when I finish my traineeship, I can apply for a job here at Noongar Mia Mia."

Post school transition officer Didi Conway is proud of Shauna for the resilience she has shown this past year. "I know this traineeship is only the beginning for her and I am excited to be alongside for the journey."

Congratulations Shauna! We wish you all the best for 2021.

18/12/2020

"This last piece I did for my mother and I titled it Family; it's basically my mum in the middle and all of us, my big family, on the outside."

Girls Academy students were among a group from Broome Senior High School who shared stories behind their artwork for Deakin University's NAIDOC livestream, which was aired online across the country and on the big screen at Melbourne's Federation Square during NAIDOC Week.

Rebecca Famlonga, head of Aboriginal education at the high school, invited Broome Girls Academy to join the event, which was a wonderful opportunity for the budding artists. Thank you to everyone involved.

18/12/2020

Congratulations, Larissa Prosser! The Geraldton Girls Academy graduate won the school-based trainee of the year at the Apprentice Employment Network’s Awards of Excellence in Perth.

It is the latest accolade for the hardworking student, who has excelled in her final years at Geraldton Senior High School. Larissa also won the excellence in vocational education and training award at the school's valedictory ceremony and was named the Rising Star at the Maxima Graduation Awards.

Larissa combined her schoolwork with a certificate II in business through ANZ Bank, and is now embarking on a career with the bank. We couldn't be prouder of her hard work, dedication and determination.

Julie O’Malley, who works in career development at the school, said it has been a pleasure to guide Larissa through the traineeship. “The confidence that Larissa has gained in her abilities and self-worth is very evident and has been acknowledged by all of her teachers," she said.

­­­Larissa Prosser has won the school-based trainee of the year at the Apprentice Employment Network’s Awards of Excellence. The Geraldton Girls Academy graduate was presented with the award at a ceremony attended by the Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery and Steve Irons, the Federa...

17/12/2020

Reshaye Gamble and Georgianna Whitby weren't sure what to expect when they were invited to a special workshop at WA Ballet back in August. As we reported then, the Challis Girls Academy students were part of a pilot project aimed at engaging young people with the ballet company while promoting health and wellbeing. Now, thanks to the Access team at West Australian Ballet, we can share some of their experience with you. The girls, along with students from Lockridge Primary School, watched two COVID-19-related pieces choreographed by WA Ballet dancers and then interviewed them. We think you'll agree these junior dance reporters did a wonderful job.

16/12/2020

The smiles were brighter than the sun at Shining Bright camps around the country, as Academies wrapped up a challenging year with some fun and games.

Aldridge Girls Academy students in Queensland were invited to Bundaberg where they visited Alexandra Park and Zoo; went finishing at the Basin in Bargara; explored Bundaberg Art Gallery; tested Bundaberg brewed soft-drinks at the famous Bundy Barrel. They also enjoyed putting development officer Madonna to the test in laser tag, bowling and dodgems at Bundy Bowl and Leisure Complex.

Up in Karratha, girls with strong attendance were treated with tickets to the sold-out Djuki Mala. A spectacular fusion of traditional dance, pop-culture and storytelling, the show tugged at the heartstrings, made everyone laugh and lifted thire spirits. It was such a joy for staff and students to share this experience.

Clontarf girls returned to their favourite end-of-year destination, Adventure World. They made the most of everything the theme park has to offer, including go-karting, water slides, rollercoasters and crazy rides. It was a day filled with smiles, screams (the good kind) and laughter.

Congratulations to all the girls who have worked so hard this term, and throughout the year.