Palmerston 2011 Annual Report - Palmerston Girls Academy

Palmerston Girls AcademyDarwin, NTSporting Chance AcademyDecember 2011CONTENTSPart A - Academy Overview 1A1 Academy Staff 1A2 Education Engagement Strategies 2A3 Post-Schooling Options 14A4 Governance Arrangements 16Part B - Students 17B1 Student Numbers 17B2 Year 12 Graduates 18B3 Case Studies 192011 Academy Awards 21ATTACHMENTS2011 Media/News ArticlesCover page photos:top - bottomSenior students at the school swimming carnival, Rosebery students induction/information session, Captains of the Magpies football team, 2011 Year 12 graduatesInside page photo:Students camping out at the Barunga Festival©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20112

Part A.Academy Overview A.1 Academy StaffName Position Full time Indigenous WWCC*(Y/N) (Y/N) (Y/N)Bo de la Cruz Program Manager Y Y YMelinda Taylor D e v e l o p m e n t Y N YOfficerLateesha Jeffrey D e v e l o p m e n t Y Y YOfficerSymone BellD e v e l o p m e n t Y Y YOfficerElle Richardson D e v e l o p m e n t Y N PendingOfficer*Working With Children Check (current)*PALMERSTON GIRLS ACADEMY STAFFl-r Bo De La Cruz program manAger,MELINDA taylor development officer (college), &LATEESHA jeffrey development officer (senior college©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 2011P A R T3

A.2 E D U C AT I O N E N G A G E M E N T S T R AT E G I E S F O R 2 0 11I) Over the course of 2011 a number of strategies have proven successfulin terms of engaging the students in education and achieving theSporting Chance Program objectives. This includes:Enrolment and Introduction to the ProgramWhen students were enrolled into the school, the year co-ordinator wouldbring them into the GirlsAcademy along with their families to showcase theacademy and informally meet the staff and other student in the academy. Newenrolments to the school would be given an enrolment pack from the PGA anda brief overview on what the academy is about.Parent Meet and GreetParent meet and greet would happen at the start of each school year, wherewe would invite all parents of the girls enrolled in the program to meet thestaff from the PGA and find out additional information about the Academy andwhat it offers.New Members OutingsNew members of the Academy would be taken on an outing to be able to getto know the staff on a more personal level. This gave them and opportunityto build a relationship with staff and to know more about the Academy andwhat it has to offer. These outings also gave PGA staff a more one on oneopportunity to explain to the students about the Academy and uncover whatthe new members wanted to get out of being in the Academy.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20114

Information sessions with Existing Members and New MembersAt the start of each year, all information from the PGA would be distributed tostudents regarding activities and opportunities they would have throughoutthe school year, other information about individual targets, and goals andrequirements of PGA members.Notice BoardThe PGA had a “Notice and Employment Opportunities” board created, as amethod of communication with students about opportunities and upcomingevents.ROSEBERY GIRLS ACADEMYInduction and EnrolmentUpon enrolment,students areintroduced to allsupport staff andtour the Academyroom. At thistime, a contract isgiven and signed.Students who arenot yet enrolledinto the PGA arevisited in classesevery term in aneffort to get moregirls to join thePGA.We encourage everyone to join our program and make every student awarethat they don’t need to be a sporting hero to join and participate.Meet & GreetRosebery Middle School invited all Indigenous students and their parents to a“Meet and Greet” BBQ. This was an induction to all Indigenous mentoring staff,i.e. Matthew Mayo (AIEW), both academies PGA and Clontarf.This was an opportunity to get the parents involved and start forming a bond.Next year we will be looking at getting regular informal parent meetings todiscuss the happenings, concerns, ideas, as well as input on procedures forthe academy.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20115

PGA Magpies AFLNT Under 16 TeamSince joining with the Palmerston Magpies team in the Under 16’s AFLNTcompetition, there has been great change in the students.Trainings are every Tuesday and Thursdays at Palmerston Senior College withCoach Lateesha Jeffery (PGA Development Officer). To be able to maintaintheir position within the team, the students were required to meet thefollowing selection criterion:• Attendance over 90%• Behaviour at high standard• 100% Attendance at trainings• School task complete/up-to-dateSporting events and CompetitionsIn the past, PGA Rosebery has had limited interactions with schools aroundDarwin. This year, this led to PGA students inviting Darwin Middle School andKormilda College boarders for a friendly game of basketball and a barbeque.Additionally Sanderson Middle invited us to the to their school for a PE class,where we had a great time playing Basketball. Unfortunately our visits wereshort-lived as transport was a major issue.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20116

Personal Goal SettingsAt the start of each term, PGA staff conducts a one-on-one meeting with PGAstudents in regards to their school and life views and goals. In thesemeetings, individual goal are set solely by the student, giving the student fullresponsibility for their actions and choices. Mid-term students goals arereviewed with PGA staff and adjustments are made or congratulations aregiven on efforts achieved.PGA Team Goal:At the end of every Enrichment class, PGAleaders take the class to set their weekly teamgoal. It’s about getting the girls input andgiving them a little bit of control on theprogram. All students must agree upon goaland abide by it throughout the rest of theupcoming week. For example, in Week 5 thePGA Enrichment Class (30 students) set a goalto be on time to each lesson during the wholeweek.The girls made a fantastic effort of droppingtheir lateness from 36 students per week toonly 20 students per week. Student A usuallylingers around the PGA room avoiding classand PGA staff usually had to remind Student Aof class times. Student A is much moreresponsible and takes upon themselves to getto class on time, without reminders.PALMERSTON GIRLS ACADEMY AMBASSADORkara huddlestone was of the school group to meetpresident barack obama on his visit to darwinOther examples of goals that were set include:• Examples of goals of the week are 100% attendance• No lateness• Apply yourself more in class• Complete one assignment or class activity• Attend all trainings©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20117

This activity is still very novice, but it has given the girls responsibility to keepeach other on track. We are looking forward to them building a stronger bondand team amongst each other next yearfishing trips act as incentives for attendanceII) ACTIVITIES THAT WERE MOSTSUCCESSFUL IN ENGAGING THESTUDENTS IN SCHOOL AND TO HELPMEET THE SPORTING CHANCEOBJECTIVES.Incentive Days and CampsAt the start of each term, PGA set specificdays as Incentive days for students thatstrived to attend 90-100% for each term.Activities included, recreational activitieslike swimming, fishing charters, beachvolleyball, jet boating etc., as well asdinners hosted by the PGA.Incentive ChartsThe Incentive charts were introduced tothe PGA in Term 4. This was a way to givestudents of the PGA differentopportunities to be rewarded for forthings like:•“Attendance to the PGA Room” ( 1 of 5days, 2 of 5 days etc).• “Attendance at training” (each training = 10 points)• “Altruism” (10 points)8©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 2011

Each time a student had shown to be performingthese tasks and more, they would be rewarded withpoints.Once they received a certain number ofpoints (250, 500, 750, 1000, etc.) they would begiven a chance to choose a prize.Sporting events and trainingIn the first year of the program, we were able tobuild a significant network with most of thesporting organisations in Darwin and the NorthernTerritory. With that came the ability to have regularcontact with each organisation and to be able toattend any event that they were holding.Now in our second year, we have been able toextend our network with even more organisations.With that said, this year the girls had the opportunity to be involved InBasketball, Rugby League, Touch, Rugby Union, Aussie Rules and Volleyball.Under 16’s Palmerston Magpies Team participationAt the end Term 3, PGA was approached by the AFLNT to sponsor thePalmerston Magpies Girls Under 16’s team to participate in the Under 16’s2011/2012 AFL competition. As only PGA members were able to be apart ofthis team, this gave us another great incentive to for PGA students to maintaintheir attendance in school.PGA sets out a list of conditions that students and parents were required toaccept should they want to be a part of this team. Some of those conditionsincluded:• 90% attendance rate must be kept through the rest of the school year• Behaviour l must be kept to a good standard (both in and out of school)©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 20119

• School work must be at a standard that their teachers were happy with• “No Train, No Play”The PGA would communicate with teachers on a weekly basis to discuss anyissues or concerns with any of the students that were selected to play in thegame on the weekend.Typically we had over 30 girls at training each week from both RoseberyMiddle School and Palmerston Senior College. Girls were required to train orthey did not play in the game (“NoTrain, No Play”). This incentiveincreased attendance rates and alsosocial behaviour problems within thePalmerston community.Students played football everySaturday morning.All staff wasinvolved in coaching, gamepreparation, running water, andtransporting girls to and from theirhomes. This also gave the PGA theopportunity to create and buildrelationships with parents and familymembers of the students.Personal Goal SettingsAt the start of each year, students are given a goal setting sheet, which asksthem to set short and long term goals for the school year. Each semester thesheets would be re-assessed with the students, to discuss wether or not thegoals they had set earlier had been achieved or changed. Once thisinformation was determined, the process was repeated and previous goalswere encouraged to be maintained.Year 12 End ofYear Gold CoastTripAt the start of theschool year, PGAstaff announcedto the Year 12students that theywould have theopportunityattend the GoldCoast trip at theend of the year.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201110

This would be a reward for their hard earned efforts throughout the year andcompletion of Year 12.There were tasks that had to be met throughout the entire school year, whichincluded:• Completion of work• 90% attendance rate for the entire year• Year 12 study days to be spent studying in the PGA or Careers Roomand NTCE be attainedNestle Challenge 2011In Term 4 Palmerston Girls Academyhosted the Inaugural “Nestle’ Challenge –Battle of the Top End Girls Academies”.All Role Models and Leaders AustraliaGirls Academies in the Northern Territorywere invited to the challenge.Unfortunately the Centralian GirlsAcademy was unable to attend due tolack of funding from previouscommitments.This did not affect the challenge being a success though. Thirty girls from theWest Arnhem, Palmerston and Rosebery Girls Academies attended with a totalof 90 girls participating in the event. The event was held over three days atthe Palmerston Senior College.The first day was hosted by the AFLNT, who in conjunction with the NorthernTerritory Government, provide “Healthy Living” organisations to also attendthe day, promoting their organisation and what they offer. The day was full ofindoor sports (due to rain) like a modified Aussie Rules handball game,basketball, and indoor soccer.The girls played in a roundrobin format tournament andhad a lot of fun. Teams thatwere not playing sports wouldattend the stalls and receiveinformation from Headspace(mental health), CharlesDarwin University, Oral Healthand Drink Driving.NESTLE NUTRITIONWORKSHOPS©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201111

On day two all girls were separated into different groups (mixing allAcademies) to attend workshops, which covered the following:• Deportment/Beauty• Art• Nutrition• Cooking• Dancing• Police Display & Entry level Fitness testing• Self Defence• Guest Speakers (during lunch)Once again these activities were in a round robin format, with each themlasting for one hour. The main event of the day was a surprise visit byAustralia’s singing sensation and Darwin Girl, Jessica Mauboy (pictured).Jessica spoke to the girlsabout growing up inDarwin, following herdreams, commitment,support and education.Jessica stayed all day withthe students in thedeportment/beautyworkshops helping out andmentoring the girls.SINGING SUPERSTAR AND DARWIN GIRL JESSICA MAUBOYMADE A SUPRISE VISIT TO THE ACADEMY DURING THENESTLE CHALLENGEThe last day concluded with fun activitiesand a barbeque. In addition to this eventbeing a lot of fun and great incentive forthe girls to strive to earn, it was alsoeducational in regards to living a healthylifestyle.A huge thank you goes to NestléAustralia for organising the fantastichealth and lifestyle event.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201112

ROSEBERY MIDDLE SCHOOLIndividual/Personal DevelopmentAt the start of each term, PGA staff arranges a meeting with students inregards to their school and life views. The meetings consists of individual goalsetting, where goals are made solely by the student, giving the student fullresponsibility and accountability for their actions and choices. Students’ goalsare reviewed with PGA staff mid way through the year, and adjustments aremade or congratulations are given on efforts.PGA Team GoalAt the end of every Enrichment class, PGA leaders take the class to set theirweekly team goal. The objective of this is to give the girls input and voicewithin the program. All students must agree upon a goal and abide by itthroughout the rest of the upcoming week.EnrichmentPGA Staff run a variety of enjoyable programs to a class of 30 Students (max)every Friday afternoon. During this time, the Academy has the opportunity tohave more one on one contact with the students, as well as run a variety ofactivities and excursions. The enrichment class is chosen specifically by PGAstaff and selections are made based on engagement and participation. Someof those sessions include: Cultural food tasting; painting; self-esteemworkshops; sporting competitions; life education; and sports training.II)HOURS PER WEEK THE ACTIVITIES LISTED ABOVE WERE CONDUCTEDWITH ACADEMY PARTICIPANTSActivityEstimateNumber ofsessionsEstimatedTotal Hoursfor EachsessionEstimated AverageTime Spent Per Week /or Total HoursIncentive Days 1 Per Term 8 hours in length 32 hours totalIncentive Chart Ongoing N/AN/ASports Training 2 Per Week 2 hours 4 hours per weekWeekend Games 1 Per Week 4 hours 4 hours per weekYear 12 Trip 1 Per Year over 7daysNestle Challenge 1 Per year over 3Days24 hours per day 168 hours total8 hours 24 hours totalEnrichment 1 Per Week 2 hour in length 2 hoursPersonal GoalSettingTeam Goal Setting 1 Per Week2 Per Term 1 hour 5 hours per week10 minutes 10 minutes©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201113

PART A.3 POST-SCHOOLING OPTIONS 2011I) STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES THAT WERE SUCCESSFUL INENHANCING STUDENTS’ POST-SCHOOLING OPTIONSPGA Employment and Education ForumIn Week 7 of Term 4, PGA provided the Year 11 and 12 members theopportunity to be involved in a Post School Employment and Education Forum.This forum was set up in a speed dating setting with a different number ofprivate, government and education organisations talking to the girls inregards to their options once they complete school. This was very successfulas it gave the girls the opportunity to look at post-schooling options in adifferent way and have more of a one on one experience with potentialemployers. It also helped to streamline the process of gaining employment.All information and applications were there on the day, which made it easy forthe girls to decide if any of the options available were right for them.PGA Information SessionsPGA offered information sessions for a different number of organisations thatstudents showed and interest in. Information sessions were organised for thestudents to attend to find out more information about certain organisationsand what employment opportunities they had to offer. Organisations such asMinerals and Mining Australia, various Northern Territory Governmentorganisations, Group Training Northern Territory and Charles DarwinUniversity were in attendance of this information session.PGA Senior Employment BoardThis year, the PGA made a “Notice and Employment/Training” board. Thepurpose of this board was to inform the girls of employment opportunities. Anumber of employment agencies, training centres and other educationinstitutions in which we receive current Vacant Positions for Full time/PartTime Employment, Apprenticeships, Traineeships, School based traineeshipsand further education and training opportunities were regularly posted on theboard.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201114

NTG Employment ExpoIn Term 3 the Northern Territory Government held the Employment Expo,which gave members from the PGA different options and opportunities forwhen they leave school. There were a number of organisations andeducational options on site, supplying students with valuable informationabout each program, as well as applications to begin applying.Support to PSC (Palmerston Senior College)PGA worked very closely with the school to ensure students were starting toexplore their options post school. Constant communication with the careersteam, supporting the careers team when requirements were due for studentsschool work in relation to post schooling options, attending all career expo’s,post schooling information sessions and Charles Darwin University visitsII)ACADEMY PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS OFFERINGPOST-SCHOOL PROGRAMS TO ASSIST THE ACADEMY IN ACHIEVINGSUCCESSMinerals Australia – Chris Natt – Information SessionEarly in the year, students from the PGA attended the Careers Expo. This wasalso an opportunity for PGA staff to build networks with certain private andgovernment organisations. We met the Minerals Council of Australia, who wethen organised to come out run an information session with the students whowere looking to go into the Mining Industry post-school. This was effective, aswe have had a number of students looking to apply for employment within themines.Northern Territory Government –Entry Level Recruitment – “Adopt aSchool Program”PGA staffed worked closely with Palmerston College and” The Adopt a Schoolprogram” to help assist students in applying for jobs within the northern©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201115

Part B.StudentsB.1.ACHIEVEMENT OF STUDENT TARGET NUMBERB1. Achievement of student number targetTotal targetCurrentstudentstudentnumbers (fromnumbersagreement)Girls Total% of targetachieved(current total/target X 100)118 64 (PSC)109 92%45 (RMS)Comment (mandatoryif less than 90% oftarget achieved)III) STRATEGIES IN PLACE TO MAINTAIN STUDENT NUMBER TARGET IN2012In order to reach our target, we have a number of strategies in place:• Visits to local primary schools to encourage new enrolments.• Run an Indigenous Year 7 Orientation Day in November to encourage newenrolments.• Set up individual meetings with current Year 10 and 11 students to plan forthe following year and make appropriate course selections.• Ensure we have as many traineeships established as possible to avoid theattrition that seems to happen from Year 10 to Year 11.• Work with the school to implement an “integrated learning program” forthe girls between the school and the Palmerston Girls academy, i.e.Community Studies using PGA as their chosen Community Studies project.• Work with the Deputy Principals and teachers to ensure the options for ALLthe girls to be catered for on the timetable. For example, girls will haveappropriate “Option” choice in Lower School with adequate Academy timeto provide incentive programs to encourage girls to continue to come toschool.17©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 2011

• Attend community events to promote the Academy and take fliers andbrochures for distribution.• Continue to promote our Academy in the media.• Build stronger relationships between Government, Private organisationsand post school educational institutions to ensure Year 12 students havethe options on all post schooling opportunities.Number of students enrolled in academy in 2011Year 7/8 to 10 Year 11 Year 12Sem 1, 2011 Sem 2, 2011 Sem 1,2011Sem 2,2011Sem 1,2011Sem 2,2011Yr 7 = 22Yr 8 = 28Yr 9 = 25Yr 10 = 21Yr 7 = 20Yr 8 = 25Yr 9 = 21Yr 10 - 2124 16 12 7B.2NUMBER OF YEAR 12 STUDENTS IN ACADEMY WHO HAVE OBTAINEDTHEIR YEAR 12 CERTIFICATE OR EQUIVALENT IN 2011In 2011, we finished the year with seven Year 12 students. All seven of ourYear 12’s have obtained NTCE graduation in 2011. This compares to twostudents graduating in 2010.OUR 2011 YEAR 12 ACADEMY GIRLS(L-R) development officer melinda taylor (far right) &program manager bo de la cruz (far left)©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201118

B.3CASE STUDIESCASE STUDY 1Teacher TestimonyAs a new teacher to the school, I have been greatly impressed by the level of care andsupport the Palmerston Girls Academy (PGA) Staff provide to the PGA students and tothe Palmerston Senior College teaching staff.I took over the Stage Two English Communications class on the 15 th August of thisyear, 2011. Student X, a member of PGA, was struggling with confidence and self-beliefissues and had fallen behind with her English Communications written and oralcoursework. I turned to PGA for guidance with how to effectively support Student X.PGA informed me that Hayley, a young Indigenous woman, had set herself thepersonal goal of being the first in her family to pass a year 12 subject. This informationwas invaluable. PGA then made a firm commitment to assist me in whatever way theycould with encouraging Student X to persevere and to take risks with her learning.Importantly all three parties: Student X, the class teacher and the PGA workedtogether. Student X now has a chance to achieve her goal.I see the PGA as a bridge for its girls; a bridge between the school and its teachers andthe PGA space. The girls are able to cross easily between the two, accessing schoolcontent and teacher support, plus working collaboratively with the PGA staff and theirPGA peers to achieve their educational and personal objectives.I really want to thank the PGA for supporting me as her teacher. All I had to do was calland you guys would get Student X on the phone. That’s been great and proved thatnothing happens without a team approach, even if we all come from different angles.Veronica Hempel - TeacherCASE STUDY 2Staff TestimonyThe Palmertson Girls Academy was instrumental in refocusing Student Y when shehad selected a Community Studies project that was too much for her. Student Y wastoo nervous to speak to me about it and so staff from PGA organised a meeting. Wethen set her up with another one and PGA Staff guided her progress. PGA alsoassisted another student with her personal fitness program, which was part of hercommunity studies.The Year 12 homework sessions had a positive impact and all PGA year 12 studentsresponded well to having to add work to do on a calendar.©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201119

I know in general that the girls like having an advocate and a place for them to goand feel part of.Judith O’HearnCareers AdvisorCASE STUDY 3PGA Parent LetterThanks for having your little chat with Student V (daughter) yesterday, she told me shehad a chat with the PGA staff and she always seems happier when she visits youguys.! I let her know to visit PGA more often as it does perk her up.! She does havetrouble getting up in the morning but we will get there eventually.!With thanks to you and the PGA staff for your hard work, you ladies do make a bigdifference in a young girls' life and have assisted me through my daughters tryingtimes.PGA ParentACADEMY GIRLSin the learn, earn legend work experience program, canberra©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201120

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR2011 ACADEMY AWARD WINNERSThe 2011 Academy Awards Event was held onWednesday, December 7Rising StarTasma GarlingRicky Grace Outstanding AcademicKitana MullinsAcademy AmbassadorAlana CoombesAcademic Achievement AwardWynona Barlow & Jaymee Thomas (Yr 7)& Kelsey Field (Yr 8)Quiet AchieversLeah Neave, Sheradyn Oakes, Tia Paterson, Kiara Munns, Tia Pitman,Jasman McGuire & Deeanna DuncanMost ImprovedBianca StokesAttendance AwardsMost ImprovedShirley John (Yr 7) & Tamara Noakes (Yr 8)Best School AttendanceWykeema Banderson (Yr 7) & Clarissa Carter (Yr 8)Attendance at TrainingWynita TaylorMost ImprovedAshley Walsh (Yr 7) & Tanisha Garling (Yr 8)Best and FairestWykeema Banderson (Yr 7) & Taylor Thorn (Yr 8)CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR ACADEMY GIRLS ON THEIRACHIEVEMENTS IN 2011©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201121

&leaders australiadeveloping young leaders for tomorrowCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERRicky GraceMobile: 0405 404 096Email: ricky@rolemodelsaustralia.comPROGRAM DIRECTORTerry BolandMobile: 0466 557 659Email: terry@rolemodelsaustralia.comBUSINESS MANAGERHoni GrafMobile: 0412 200 619Email: honi@rolemodelsaustralia.comROLE MODELS & LEADERSAUSTRALIAPO Box 332LEEDERVILLE WA 6903Phone: 1300 833 904Fax: 08 9227 6400Email: info@rolemodelsaustralia.comWebsite:www.rolemodelsaustralia.comwww.palmerston.girlsacademy.com.au©RM&LA Palmerston Girls Academy Annual Report: December 201122