New Opportunity - Girls at the Centre Coach

The Smith Family’s vision is to create a better future for young Australians – and through a local program changing the lives of high school students in Bairnsdale, a new opportunity exists for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professional to join the children’s education charity and positively impact the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

Girls at the Centre motivates and supports girls in high school to stay at school and contributes to educational achievement by providing participants with dedicated ‘coaches’ and other means of support – such as after-school activities, access to mentors, and regular excursions – to broaden life experiences.

In Bairnsdale, the program takes place in school and includes both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls as well as other students from Bairnsdale Secondary School. As part of their mentoring and support role, ‘Girl coaches’ encourage students to stay engaged in their learning as well as provide access to networks and mentors outside the school to help inspire potential study and career pathways.

Simone Foster has been a Girls Coach in Bairnsdale for five years, and she says the program is having a uniquely positive impact on participants.

“Girls at the Centre is about strengthening students’ social, emotional and academic aspirations. It hopes to help them build constructive relationships with each other, their school and the community,” Simone said.

“It’s so rewarding to see the girls develop throughout their time with our program. Confidence is a big one – many of the students are quite shy when they first join but before long, they are actively engaging in activities and even standing up and presenting at events. I’ve absolutely seen them grow in front of my very eyes.

“It’s also been great to see first-hand the girls form such strong friendships with each other. They care about, and look after, one another. It all comes back to the girls taking ownership of the program and being proud to be part of it… proud of the connections and friendships they form with peers, adults and members of the community.”

With The Smith Family currently looking to hire another Girls Coach, Simone says it’s a brilliant opportunity for a local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person to join an organisation having a direct, positive impact on young people in the Bairnsdale community.

“Whether it’s collaborating with teachers and other school staff, engaging the parents of students or working directly with the girls themselves, being a Girls Coach is so rewarding,” she said.

“We currently have 32 students on the program and with the added support of this new role, we’re looking to potentially recruit more. I would encourage anyone who is interested, and fulfills the criteria, to apply.”

Simone says Girls at the Centre offers students’ weekly activities that appeal to different interests and each fortnight, a community mentor visits the school for ‘Lunch with the Bunch’. After a short presentation, the girls are encouraged to ask questions about the person’s achievements and line of work.

The girls also have their own space at the school – the Girl’s Room. It’s a location for many of the program’s activities but also offers a safe transition space between home and school.

Anton Leschen, The Smith Family’s General Manager in Victoria, says that Girls at the Centre has been proven to improve students’ self-confidence and school engagement.

“At its core, the work of The Smith Family is about helping young people grow and live fulfilling futures, and that’s why programs like Girls at the Centre are so valuable. It’s about nurturing ambitions, boosting their rapport and peer relationships, and building students’ confidence and leadership qualities,” he said.

“We know it works too, and the role of the Girls Coach is so fundamental to that success. We regularly hear from students, families and our partner school staff about just how important this role is to a young person’s journey through high school, which can often be challenging for some.

“To have that positive support role – within the school environment and on-hand to provide that extra layer of guidance for students and their families – is key to help these students develop life goals and skills, complete their studies, and establish a positive pathway from school to further study or work.”

To find out more about Girls at the Centre, as well as the current Girls Coach opportunity and how to apply, please go to www.thesmithfamily.com.au/get-involved/jobs

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