Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
View all programs Girls at the Centre
Our actions count
The Smith Family creates opportunities for young Australians in need by providing long-term support for their participation in education.
In the last year our work supported over 199,680 children, young people, parents, carers and community professionals across 91 communities throughout regional and metropolitan Australia.
Around 15,020 of the young people we support are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
Watch Girls at the Centre program
Girls at the Centre is an aspirational program located at Mount Austin High School, Wagga Wagga, NSW and Bairnsdale High School, Victoria. The program is a multi-faceted program providing intensive and holistic support aimed at strengthening social, emotional, culture knowledge and academic aspirations for participating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Year 7-12
Making crucial steps towards addressing educational inequality in Australia
In 2021, 58% of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20 to 24 years and who are living in the most disadvantaged communities had attained Year 12 or equivalent, compared to 87% of those living in Australia’s most advantaged communities. This disparity highlights the relationship between poverty and advantage for First Nations people. - Productivity Commission 2023, Closing the Gap Repository.
We measure our outcomes
An independent evaluation2 of the Girls at the Centre program showed how highly valued the program was by the girls, school staff and their families. It showed positive development for the girls’ life goals and skills and it significantly improved their school attendance rates. The program also strengthened family and community engagement with the school.
Since 2016 Girls at the Centre has been operating in Bairnsdale and Wagga Wagga. Already the program is having a positive impact. School staff report improved school attendance rates for girls on the program, greater engagement in learning and improved attitudes and behaviours.
It’s an evidence-based approach
The Girls at the Centre has been in two communities for more than 5 years. Through the program, we have been able to build strong and lasting relationships with community organisations, and community Elders and leaders who have assisted in enabling our students to grow skills and look at different possible futures.
Some outcomes include significant improvement in attendance, greater engagement with their learning and completion of Year 12. The program has provided the girls with opportunities to participate in health and wellbeing activities and includes a cultural learning component.
2023 has seen increases in the student’s participation in the programs that support their career pathways. Anecdotally, teaching staff have noticed an increase in attendance, greater engagement in the classroom and improved behaviour, attitude, and motivation.
I don't think I would be achieving half the stuff I've achieved without girls at the center. If I need someone to chat to I can always chat to my mentor... and really push myself out there to be the best person I can be.
If you're feeling a bit down you can go there and they'll just cheer you up... they're sort of like your big sisters basically, they just help you through everything and they're always there supporting you.
Download our Research Report and read how Girls at the Centre improves the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.
Research report Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs
Girls at the Centre
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls to stay in school by providing focused resources, activities, mentoring and events.
Our actions toward reconciliation
The Smith Family recognises our responsibility and role in working with others to create a fairer and more equitable society for all Australians.
Indigenous Youth Leadership Program
Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from remote communities to attend a high performing high school or university to further their education.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) signals our continued public commitment to the reconciliation process.
1 ABS. 2016. 2016 Community Profiles, Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Profile, Table I06.
2 Lea T & Driscoll C (2012) Evaluation of the ‘Girls at the Centre’ program, Alice Springs, University of Sydney.
3
Karmet T et al (2014) Improving labour market outcomes through education and training, Issues Paper no 9, Australian Government.