The Butterfly Effect

Girl Power Club - end of year celebration

Throughout the year, the club members empowered by their neurodivergent creativity transformed blank walls and concrete into living canvases of advocacy and celebration.

Each project carried a powerful message:

Gender equity: Murals filled with colour and symbolism highlighted the beauty of self-expression and the importance of inclusivity, blending pink and purple blossom trees into a hue of purple filled with butterflies that travel to the Wall of Happiness.
Autism awareness: Thoughtful messages of love, care, friendship and allyship showcased the strengths, creativity, and individuality of autistic teens in our community, challenging stereotypes and ableism and promoting inclusion.
Mental health awareness: A burst of colorful and uplifting chalk artworks, along with positive words, transformed the courtyard into a space fostering conversation and understanding about mental health. It was a small community step forward in challenging stigma and encouraging that it’s okay to talk about it, or chalk about it.
Wall of Happiness: Bright, playful art and positive messages captured the essence of fun and friendship, as well as the everyday moments that make teen life meaningful.

These previously blank and uninspiring spaces became more than just art, they became conversation starters, safe spaces, and visual affirmations of the club’s values.

The club’s foundation in feminism ensured that every voice was valued, every perspective respected, and every teen empowered to lead. Friendship, meanwhile, provided the glue that held the group together.

Neurodivergent teens and their friends worked side by side, learning from one another, celebrating differences and building a culture of acceptance.

The combination of advocacy and camaraderie created a ripple effect beyond the club itself. Teachers, parents and peers were inspired by the projects, sparking wider conversations about equity, inclusiveness and mental health.

The positivity and community created by the Girl Power Club inspired members to create a new name that supports our growing vision of celebrating the neurodivergent movement.

We are proud to introduce the club’s new name:

The Butterfly Effect - “The Infinite Plethora of Thoughts”

The butterfly effect is a concept, often misused in pop culture, originating from chaos theory. It describes how small changes to a complex system’s initial conditions can produce dramatically different outcomes. The butterfly effect was most prominently researched by meteorologist Edward Lorenz in the early 1960s. This name received 10 Wellbeing Warrior votes and is supported by the majority of club members.

Looking ahead to 2026

As the year draws to a close, the club celebrates two successful years of the Girl Power Club. We will build on this success by expanding the program to include:

NEW Wellbeing Warrior Mentoring Program: This program aims to build a community of Wellbeing Warrior mentoring experts who demonstrate knowledge, care, and compassion towards other neurodivergent students and share this knowledge with peers through a variety of school-based activities.

The program runs during lesson 5 every Tuesday and involves learning about the ecological systems within the school community. Participants have developed into leaders in their own wellbeing and in the areas of empathy, compassion, and kindness towards their peers. Those who completed the program this year have built a portfolio of knowledge and are ready to become Wellbeing Warrior Mentors in 2026.

As we say goodbye to 2025, we end the year with a ‘food party and friendships’ and look forward to the new school year with excitement and ambition in 2026!

Article by Katerina Schmitt in partnership with group members

Chat ‘n’ Play Program for neurodivergent students

Aberfoyle Park High School students in years 7, 8, and 9 have been proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact on the lives of elderly residents living in their community. These remarkable young people have participated in the Chat ‘n’ Play community engagement program, developed in partnership between Aberfoyle Park High School and Estia Health, a local aged care residence.

Chat ‘n’ Play was designed to support students to feel safe, included and connected to the school community. It also encourages students to support one another and build friendships by practicing social and communication skills, developing peer relationships, practicing self-regulation and self-awareness skills, learning about a variety of career pathways and encouraging student voice throughout the program to support decision making.

During the program, students participated in playing Bingo and chatting with residents. The program has seen students contribute in ways that go far beyond its original aims, with students forming new friendships, supporting fellow group members and contributing meaningfully to the lifestyle program at Estia Health.

They have learnt the meaning of humanity and belonging to a community, spreading joy and playfulness throughout the program. Here is what the students said about their time in the program:

“I enjoyed giving back to the community.”
“As you get older you may start to get forgetful, but they are still good people to have a chat with.”
“I enjoyed helping others with their numbers.” [during a Bingo game]
“It is a place I can be myself.”
“They are really cool and keep their mind active by playing Bingo.”
“I liked playing Bingo and getting to know a couple of the people that live there.”
“I had fun.”

Residents at Estia Health have expressed how much they value the students’ weekly visits, noting the warmth, laughter and sense of community these interactions bring.

They have been supported and accepted for their incredible contribution to the lifestyle program.

The Lifestyle Coordinator at Estia Health thanked Aberfoyle Park High School for “bringing joy to the residents" and expressed their enjoyment in having young people visit, chat and play Bingo, which is highly competitive.

This partnership is more than just a program for the school and the community, it is a reminder that diversity is a strength, and that young people can find meaningful ways to contribute to the lives of others.

Article by Katerina Schmitt