
An Action-Packed Term 2 Program for Stars in the NT
Stars Mentors have delivered a fun and action-packed program for our Stars in the Northern Territory during Term 2.
Stars Foundation has certainly come a long way since launching our first program for 285 students in the Northern Territory in 2015. Today we have more than 200 staff supporting around 3,400 First Nations girls and young women in 62 schools across Australia and a further 200 Year 12 graduates from 2023.
Stars launches new programs
In 2024, Stars commenced ten new programs through Semester One and are thrilled to be working with our new partner schools to support more First nations young women to succeed in school.
New programs include: 3 in Western Australia (Perth); 3 in South Australia (Adelaide); 2 in Queensland (Cairns & Weipa); and 2 in Victoria (Warrnambool).
Each program has a Stars Room which is managed by inspirational Stars Mentors who are highly respected within the local community. Stars Foundation has 200 Stars employees across Australia, of which 92% are working in program-facing roles and 72% are Indigenous.
Stars Program focuses on four key pillars
The Stars Room and Mentors provide a nurturing environment for students and the Stars program focuses on four pillars designed to improve health and education outcomes including:
- Education, Training and Employment – encourages active engagement in education and the development of positive plans for a successful transition into full time employment or further study;
- Healthy Lifestyles – addresses healthy habits for life including nutrition, self-care and personal hygiene, sport, and fitness;
- Wellbeing – focuses on personal wellbeing and mental health; and
- Community, Culture and Leadership – celebrates First Nations culture and encourages activity within communities which develops confidence and pride.
The following NT stories showcase how we bring these pillars to life for Stars students.
Worksite visit inspired by First Nations led businesswoman
Proud Larrakia woman and AKJ Services Managing Director, Jessie Risk, recently spoke at a Year 12 Induction Day and students were so inspired by her post-school journey that they wanted to attend her workplace.
This led to Stars from Palmerston College and Taminmin College attending a terrific AKJ Services worksite and trade visit in Palmerston with students from the Clontarf Foundation. Year 12 Star from Palmerston College, Nakia, said the AKJ Open Day opened her eyes to myriad pathways available for women in the civil construction industry.
“Everyone was very friendly, and I really enjoyed the day. All the businesses that attended gave us a lot of information about what they do and the opportunities that they can provide us. I am thankful that AKJ Services hosted this day because I now know that it is possible for me,” said Nakia.
Oz Tag Carnival in Tennant Creek encourages healthy lifestyles
Stars students from Tennant Creek High School Primary School recently hosted the annual Oz Tag Carnival for three Stars programs from Alice Springs including Centralian Middle School, Centralian Senior College and Gillen Primary School.
The night before the event everyone went out to dinner at a local restaurant, which was a wonderful chance to get together and connect over a meal. This was followed by a BBQ breakfast prepared by the awesome staff from Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation, who also generously donated fruit for the students to enjoy during the competition.
Wellbeing focus at Moulden Park Primary School in Palmerston
A few lucky Stars in Years 3 and 4 enjoyed a sleepover in the Stars room at school which was a first-time sleepover experience for most of the girls.
As recognition for their terrific enthusiasm and school attendance in Term 2, students were treated to a trip to Adventure Land before returning to the Stars room for dinner and a movie night.
The following morning, the girls rose early to enjoy a pancake breakfast before embarking on a trip to Territory Wildlife Park. The students were captivated by the diverse wildlife and the bird show and wallaby encounter were the highlights of the day.
Weaving project in Jabiru fosters community, culture and leadership
Stars from Jabiru Area School recently enjoyed a series of 10 weaving sessions where they sat and yarned with women in their community.
These creative sessions involved learning how to weave bracelets while also learning about the impact of alcohol, vaping, and smoking.
This initiative was courtesy of a grant from the Northern Territory Government Department of Health. The students were so inspired they directed and featured in a terrific short video story of the activities.