Stars programs across Australia support First Nations girls and young women to achieve their goals. Our programs #breakthebias every single day.
Around Australia – from Broome in northern WA and Katherine in the NT, to Townsville in Far North Queensland and Mildura in Victoria – Stars students enjoyed celebrating International Women’s Day this week.
Northern Territory
Centralian Middle School
“As Stars Foundation supports and encourages the empowerment of young women, it was important for students and staff at Centralian Middle School to host a special Morning Tea to celebrate the young women in our program, at our school, within our families and within our community. We had a fantastic turnout from all staff and students, and it was lovely to celebrate a positive event. This year’s theme of #breakthebias encourages our young women to try their best, be their best, aim high and follow their dreams. We have the power to do anything and be anything, regardless of our gender. We are strong, we a proud, we are resilient!”
Katherine High School
“Katherine Stars decided to throw a whole school BBQ to celebrate International Women’s Day. There was also a two-square competition where students had to play against a Stars Mentor and if they claimed victory, they got a purple donut. It was a great way to involve the whole school and start a conversation about equality. All staff were asked to wear purple to as part of the event. It was brilliant to see many of our Stars pitching in to help with the setup, banner making, cooking and decorations.”
Haileybury Rendell School
“HRS Stars spent International Women’s Day exploring gender stereotypes and thinking of ways to #breakthebias. Our students participated in interactive activities designed to challenge and encourage a conversation about the gendering of abilities and emotions and focused on how the statement ‘like a girl’ can be changed from an insult to a compliment. We wrapped up our learning with a fun water balloon activity to ‘destroy the stereotype’ and an IWD-themed game of trivia, which was won by Zanaya and Sharell
Tennant Creek High School
“On International Women’s Day, we did an activity with our Year 7 girls, focusing on the characteristics that they felt made up strong woman and yarned about the many inspirational women around the world and within their own families and communities.”
Moulden Park Primary School
“We have been busy crafting, decorating and prepping a delicious morning tea with a few ‘sometimes foods’ to celebrate International Women’s Day. A huge thank you to all the wonderful Moulden Staff for joining us. A special mention to Sharee, Karen and Pauline from the Northern Land Council for not only taking the time to join us and provide some wonderful inspiration to our students, but also spoiling our girls with special goodie bags to celebrate the day!”
Driver Primary School
“Our Driver Primary School Stars celebrated International Women’s Day by working together to create a delicious frozen yoghurt bark decorated with yummy seasonal berries and enjoying it together.”
Queensland
Thuringowa
“Thuringowa Stars hosted an International Women’s Day lunch in the Stars Room. The students cooked up two traditional Torres Strait Islander dishes – Semur Chicken and Fried Scones. The Stars girls spoke about the theme “break the bias” and took turns in reading affirmation cards and sharing their thoughts and experiences.”
Heatley
“We celebrated by having a Taco Tuesday lunch together and celebrating past and present Indigenous Women in our lives and yarning about what they mean to the girls. Many of our Stars mentioned their Aka’s (Grandmothers) and how much they have done to look after their families. One of the girls mentioned that one day she would like to be like her Grandma, ‘who is a good cook and knows how to sew clothes’. We had the opportunity to share with the girls – ‘WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER WHEN WE CHEER EACH OTHER ON’!”
Victoria
Chaffey Secondary College
“As part of our celebration for International Women’s Day our Stars made cupcakes with the school’s food teacher for all female staff at school. The girls invited staff members to join in the cooking and decorating. The tables were turned, and we saw some great skills from our girls teaching the staff. Once all 65 cupcakes were made, the girls decorated the cupcake boxes and delivered them. One of our Year 8 students, Harmony, said to the teachers as she delivered her cupcakes, ‘You are strong and bold, so be proud of who you are’.”
Western Australia
Girrawheen Senior High School
“As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Girrawheen Stars students took part in some positive and inclusive activities and conversations that focused on equality for women. Our Stars also prepared and enjoyed an afternoon tea with their peers and the school staff.”
Broome Senior High School
“Broome Stars celebrated and recognised all female staff at Broome Senior High School by gifting them a small goodie bag, which included bookmarks made by Year 9 Stars, protein balls made by the Year 8 Stars, and individual letters written by the senior Stars. The goodie bags were delivered to female staff on International Women’s Day.”
Karratha Senior High School
“Our Year 10 Stars spread love and kindness on International Women’s Day by going out into our community to gift a flower and words of inspiration to women from all walks of life.”
