November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

Shine 37
Innovation
Belly-dancing program
builds confidence
By Tina Luton
PHOTO BY Timothy burgess
Belly dancing hasn’t always been part of the
curriculum at Manchester Primary School
in Mooroolbark, but when a group of girls
expressed interest, teachers quickly arranged
for a professional to come and show them how
it’s done. While mastering the finer points of
belly dancing involved plenty of laughter and
camaraderie, the main benefit of the class was
to show the girls an alternative way to get fit
while helping them to be more at ease with
their bodies.
These students, and dozens more like them, are
part of a growing program called Girlfriends!,
which aims to develop social competencies,
resilience and self-esteem among young
women, and also to create friendships. The
program was developed three years ago by
cluster educators Phillippa Adgemis, Robyn
Floyd and Christine Shiel, and was originally
designed to assist disadvantaged or disengaged
students in the middle years of high school. It
proved such a success, that it has since been
adapted for primary schools, using some Tribes
processes with equal success across a range of
demographic settings.
“Girlfriends! is unique in that it is completely
student-negotiated and links girls with
their community in order to build their
resources so that they can be empowered in
their lives,” explains Ms Adgemis, who is
assistant principal of Manchester Primary. “It
has proven to be equally successful in both
secondary and primary settings, and there has
been enough interest that we are now looking
at the international market. We are also talking
about adapting it to a boys’ program,” she adds.
Ms Adgemis says a key strength of the
program is that it values the suggestions of
the focus group and encourages community
support. “The students decide what they want
to talk about and the teacher facilitators then
work with community organisations, business
leaders and welfare agencies to develop a series
of forums which reflect the interests and needs
of each particular group.
“As the students engage in the program, they
support others to develop the same outcomes,
and everyone wins together: our students, our
schools, our families and our communities.”
Topics for discussion may include fitness,
nutrition, grooming, safe partying, women’s
health, hair care and make-up – and in the
case of one primary school group, responsible
handling of mobile phones and credit cards.
Feedback is monitored through reflection
sheets from the students, presenters and the
facilitator. As the program develops, students
write newsletter reports and showcase their
learning at parent information nights and
assemblies. The teacher facilitator ensures that
experiences can be integrated into regular
classroom activities where appropriate.
Girlfriends! is supported by professionals
and community members along with the
Eastern Metropolitan Region and Shire of
Yarra Ranges. It is freely available on the
website and has been accessed by a number of
schools across Australia and internationally.
The women have presented the program at
conferences around Australia and at local
schools on request, and are currently producing
a manual, which will be available in March.
For more information about Girlfriends!,
visit www.wandinyallockps.vic.edu.au/links
Girlfriends at a glance
The Girlfriends! program aims to facilitate:
• individual and group goals and the
planning and developing of common
pathways
• the creation and supplementation of
individual future stories for each girl
• the young women’s ability to identify and
articulate their needs and feelings
• healthy connections with self, peers,
teachers, community members and
professionals
• more solid resource bases for each
individual
• more pathways to connect students with
the school curriculum in supportive ways
• and increased academic outcomes for
participants, and rich, contextual learning
for each student.