Blog

The end of the school year marks an important milestone for Stars students across Australia. For Stars Mentors, this period represents the culmination of years of guidance, encouragement, and shared achievement.

In 2025, 326 Stars students have successfully completed school and are preparing for life beyond school. Their success continues to demonstrate the impact of Stars Foundation’s support of First Nations girls and young women to make informed choices that strengthen their education, wellbeing, and future pathways.

During the final weeks of school, all 75 Stars programs honour their Year 12 Graduates, acknowledging academic accomplishments, personal growth, and leadership. Many programs have already held end-of-year gatherings, bringing students, families, and community together to celebrate the achievements of the graduating cohort as they prepare for their next chapter.

WA Stars Showcase Cultural Portraits

There was a record 30 Stars programs hosting End of Year celebrations in WA in 2025, and six of these opened in the past 12 months. The Stars students and team at Kent Street Senior High School in Perth, WA, were one of the programs to enjoy their first End of Year Awards ceremony. The afternoon was dedicated to honouring Stars students alongside their families and the wider school community.

The event featured a beautiful art-gallery-style showcase of photographic portraits created by Stars students during NAIDOC Week, highlighting their creativity, culture, and pride. The atmosphere was warm, joyful, and truly inspiring as everyone reflected on the achievements of our students throughout the year.

NT Stars Celebrate with Community

The Stars program at Haileybury Rendall School in Darwin, NT, proudly hosted its Annual End of Year Awards Presentation Night. It was a wonderful celebration recognising the dedication, achievements, and growth of the Stars girls.

The evening brought together students, families, and teachers in a heartfelt tribute to their hard work, perseverance, and success throughout the year. It was an inspiring occasion filled with pride, joy, and a strong sense of community.

VIC Stars Share Smoking Ceremony, Dance and Speeches

Stars programs from Chaffey Secondary College and Mildura Senior College recently held their combined End of Year Celebrations on the river in Mildura, VIC. The event gathered 170 guests and highlights included: Elly welcomed everyone on guitar; a cleansing and spirit dance; smoking ceremony led by community member, Thomas; and Maddie wrote and recited her own Welcome to Country.

Stars students were recognised for their achievements, areas of growth and success across 2025. Year 10 student, Brittney, and Stars Year 12 Graduate, Lakira, shared memorable and heartfelt reflections on the impact that the Stars program and Mentors have had on their lives.

The Principal from Mildura Senior College, Belinda Hudak, reflected on the Stars programs development over the past eight years and celebrated the highest number of First Nations Year 12 Graduates the school has ever seen.

Four NSW Programs Host First End of Year Celebrations

Stars students at Gunnedah High School were one of eight programs celebrating their End of Year Celebrations, with programs in Gunnedah, Tamworth, Moruya and Narrandera experiencing their debut event!

The Gunnedah celebrations were filled with talent, creativity, and proud moments from the amazing Stars students. Award winners were suitably publicly acknowledged, and all students were recognised for their hard work and focus as Mentors reinforced that they had earned every bit of this celebration. Mentors also seized the opportunity to thank teachers, families, and the school community for supporting the afternoon and students every step of the way throughout the year.

QLD Stars Enjoy Ceremony and Meal Together

Six programs in Queensland have thoroughly enjoyed End of Year celebrations. The Stars program at Cairns State High School brought families, staff, and students together for a memorable End of Year celebration. The evening showcased the remarkable achievements of the girls and young women in the program, with proud families and school staff filling the room with encouragement and support.

Parents and carers valued the opportunity to recognise the young women’s accomplishments and sense of camaraderie and later enjoyed a generous spread of food and refreshments as they reflected on a year of hard work and growth.

SA Stars Celebrate with Powerful Cultural Dance

Five Stars programs in South Australia fully embraced the End of Year festivities. Families at Wirreanda Secondary School were welcomed to the Stars End of Year celebrations with a delicious selection of finger food which created a warm and relaxed atmosphere for the event.

The school Principal delivered an opening speech, and each Stars Award winner was recognised for their commitment, leadership, and positive contribution to community. The room was filled with pride as students accepted their Awards, many visibly moved by the acknowledgement of their hard work throughout the year.

Everyone was then treated to a heartfelt speech from graduating student, Tara, whose thoughtful words touched everyone in attendance. A standout moment of the evening was a powerful cultural dance performed by eight Stars students. After weeks of learning and collaborating with Lila Berry from Desert and Sea, the group proudly shared their cultural knowledge and artistry on stage. The celebrations were a fitting end to a memorable year.

As the end of the school year approaches, we wish every Stars student a fun and festive season and a well-deserved summer break.

We also wish our 2025 Stars Year 12 Graduates much success and happiness as they set forth on the next phase of their life as confident, educated young adults. Meanwhile, the Stars Transitions team is ready to assist them with their plans for further studies, employment and  ongoing mentoring support in the next couple of years ahead.