Role Models WA | Phone: (08) 9258 8737 | Fax: (08) 9227 6400 | info@rolemodelswa.com
Role Models WA | Phone: (08) 9258 8737 | Fax: (08) 9227 6400 | info@rolemodelswa.com
Building Better
Communities
Building Better
Futures
Girls Academies
About a quarter of full-time Indigenous students continue to Year 12 (from Year 8), compared with close to three quarters of non-Indigenous students. Attainment rates for government school students show that in 2004, of those Indigenous students who commenced Year 11 in the previous year, 22% received their Western Australian Certificate of Education (Year 12 certificate), compared to 57% of non-Indigenous students1.
The positive impact of engagement in sport is especially strong in regional areas, as noted in this observation: “Sport and recreation has a special place in the hearts of regional Western Australians, it is often the glue that holds many communities together and builds resilience in difficult times.”
(Sport and Recreation Minister, Terry Waldron, 5 November, 2008)
However, the focus of sporting programs has primarily been on boys and teenage males. Therefore the “glue” that keeps girls and teenage females engaged in their communities has not been as strongly committed to. Redressing this has been a key area for Role Models WA.
Girls Academies
Are you interested in enrolling in one of our Girls Academies?
Enrollment forms
Clontarf Girls Academy Perth
Kalgoorlie Girls Academy
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Clontarf Girls Academy Perth
Kalgoorlie Girls Academy
Through leadership and development,
sports and education, Role Models WA provides assistance
to West Australian Indigenous youth who suffer
from poverty, sickness, misfortune or a disconnectedness
from their community.
Girls Sporting Academies
PERTH Clontarf Girls Academy
Campus:
Clontarf Aboriginal College
Perth (Clontarf Girls Academy)
Kalgoorlie (Kalgoorlie Girls Academy)
Through Role Models, Ricky Grace has worked closely with Clontarf Aboriginal College since 2004 and during that period has established a very active and successful girls’ basketball program. The program has enabled the College to increase retention and school attendance rates and also offered school based traineeships and mentoring.
Tony Chinnock
Principal, Clontarf Aboriginal College
Role Models WA has established sporting Academies for secondary girls on existing education sites. The academies complement the formal delivery of teaching and learning by the school teaching staff. Through the academies these girls will be engaged in education, training and be given opportunities for employment and further education.
In 2007 Role Models WA opened the first Indigenous girl’s academy in Australia, attached to Clontarf Aboriginal College (Clontarf Girl’s Academy). At the beginning of 2008 the Kalgoorlie Girls Academy was opened to provide opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous girls enrolled at Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School (Years 8-10) and Eastern Goldfields College (Years 11 and 12).
In the Sporting Academies, basketball, netball, extracurricular activities, intensive mentoring and counselling and a structured reward system keep the girls engaged in education and their future. Role Models WA provides a unique focus on work readiness, work placements, traineeships and employment.
The success of these academies is built on a sound foundation:
PERTH Clontarf Girls Academy Waterford, Perth, Western Australia
Opened in 2007 under the leadership of Role Models WA CEO and former Perth Wildcats, Australian basketball legend and Sydney 2000 Olympian, Ricky Grace, the Clontarf Girls Academy situated on the Clontarf Aboriginal College grounds provides an educational support program that allows Indigenous girls to grow and graduate.
The Academy has places for up to 100 Indigenous girls from Year 8 to year 12 who wish to combine their culture, education and interests in sport.
The Academy provides the following programs:
Mentoring and personal development to assist students throughout their entire education experience and beyond graduation.
Work Placements and Workplace Readiness leading to employment.
Sports coaching, training and skill development.
Participation in sport and physical activities including local and interstate basketball and netball competitions, leadership camps and sporting carnivals.
Achievements and successes to date:
2006, 2007, 2008 Basketball Champions of the Associated and Catholic Colleges of Western Australia basketball competition.
2008 and 2009 YORGAS Basketball Champions
2007 Basketball and Netball Winners in the Moorditj Waakiny Sports and Cultural Carnival.
YORGAS - Young Outspoken Responsible Girls At School
In 2007 the Academy developed its own YORGAS (Nyoongar for young women) program which includes mentoring, sport/extracurricular activities, workplace readiness, leadership and teamwork.