Stellar News 

October 2024

Stars Students Set for Strong Finish to The Year

Message from Founder and CEO, Andrea Goddard

Stars students are shining bright this spring, especially our 200+ Year 12 students soon to complete their secondary schooling. We also have many students completing their first full year in a Stars program following establishment of 20+ new programs across Australia in recent years.

The smiles and pride shown in the above image features students from Tumut High School in New South Wales who recently earned their first Stars shirts in a ceremony attended by family and the school community. This effort involved achieving personal school attendance goals and completing tasks that displayed Stars’ values of respect, honesty, commitment and pride.

Term 3 has been action packed with activities focused on Stars’ four pillars: Education, Training and Employment; Wellbeing; Healthy Lifestyles; and Community, Culture and Leadership. It has also demanded intensive focus on senior students who are completing school and exploring post-school pathways. Many students are proud to be first in family to complete Year 12 and are very much looking forward to the upcoming celebrations.

From all reports from Stars Mentors combined with the latest data, our Year 12 Stars have shown a steady combination of consistent hard work and enthusiasm required to ensure a strong finish to their secondary schooling. Well done to all our Stars!

Year 12s Share Stars Stories in Palmerston, Northern Territory

Three Year 12 Stars from Casuarina Senior College: Tamika (above), Myah and Matilda, kindly shared their insights on Stars with valued partner, MECCA M-POWER, as part of a series to celebrate International Day of the Girl. The 2024 theme set by the United Nations is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. For further insights visit Stars Foundation YouTube Channel.

32 Stars Programs Celebrate Women's Health Week Across Australia

Stars students and Mentors at Balga Senior High School in Perth, gathered with local Elders for an informative morning tea, to share information and yarn about women’s health issues for Women’s Health Week. Every September, for one week, Women's Health Week is a reminder to set aside time for our health and wellbeing and is a nation-wide campaign of events and online activities inspired by community partner, Jean Hailes for Women’s Health. This year there was a record 32 Stars programs that hosted events for Stars students ranging from guest speakers with health expertise to facilitation of a yoga class and hosting breakfast or morning tea for teachers and family members.

Stars Visit Chevron HQ in Western Australia

Stars students in Western Australia recently met with the team from Chevron Australia and we are thankful that Chevron Australia, along with the Gorgon joint venture partners, are proud to extend their partnership with Stars Foundation. The partnership reinforces their shared commitment to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women across Perth and the Pilbara region in Western Australia to pursue educational success and career pathways.

Highlights of Term 3 for Stars in Queensland

Term 3 involved a mix of educational, informative and fun activities for Stars students in Queensland. The activities outlined in the article featured below are indicative of the Stars program in 62+ primary and secondary schools operating across all mainland states and the Northern Territory.

Para Hills Stars Enjoy Cultural Camp in South Australia

Stars from Para Hills School in Years 7-9 took part in an overnight Cultural Camp to Victor Harbor, South Australia. Students engaged in activities that included: hiking Bluff Mountain trail; walking around Granite Island with local Aboriginal leader, Cedric; and visiting Urimbirra Wildlife Park. The young ladies were captivated by the powerful stories about the culture and learning of the Ngarrindjeri people. Students also visited Little Local Co café in Murray Bridge where local Indigenous women and business owner, Amy, spoke about her journey and experience opening her own business.

Warrnambool Stars Enter Boxing Ring in Victoria 

Years 8-10 Stars from one of Stars’ newest programs at Warrnambool College in Southwest, Victoria, recently attended an intense boxing session where there was a lot of sweat, racing heart rates and laughter. Students enjoyed learning the benefits of boxing including physical health improvement, weight management, and promoting a goal-orientated mindset while fostering teamwork, respect, resilience, perseverance, discipline and focus.  At the end of the session the young women enjoyed a delicious protein smoothie and tuna rice cakes with many requests to do it all again.

Stars Unite at Sculpture Park in New South Wales

Students from James Fallon High School in Albury and Tumut High School recently joined forces to take part in joint community and culture-focused activities. Highlights of the day included strolling along the spectacular Yindyamarra Sculpture Walk trail which featured 15 sculptures crafted by Aboriginal artists that told age-old and powerful First Nations stories through contemporary art.

Thank You for Your Support

• Stars Foundation relies on the understanding and support of generous partners and donors who wish to join us in making a difference for First Nations girls and young women.

  We wish to welcome and thank our newest partners and donors below.

• Pixii
• Stryker
• Variety - the Children's Charity of South Australia
• Yarraville Club.
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• Many thanks to our partners and donors below who have recently continued their support.
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• AFF Properties
• Altora Ag
• Ampol
• Boeing
• Downer Group
• Essential Energy
• Kakadu West Arnhem Social Trust - KWAST
• Hand, Heart, Pocket
• Hewitt Agribusiness
• Santos
• Social Justice Fund
• Stahmann Farms.
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• All your support counts in making sure the future is in our Stars!
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