Shooting Stars is prioritising its new participants as the organisation expands its reach with programs at East Kimberley College in Kununurra and Derby Senior High School after successfully securing funds through the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
Kununurra local and former Girls Academy Program Manager, Sara Ripps, will head up the Shooting Stars program in the region where she will continue to support the young Aboriginal girls of her community.
“I think me coming on board with Shooting Stars and continuing to provide that support for the girls is very important,” said Ripps.
“They’re going through a lot of change at the moment, and for some of them they’ve been with Girls Academy for a number of years, so I think with me joining Shooting Stars there’s a sense of familiarity. They have someone they know and are connected to and it makes the transition a whole lot easier.”
The Shooting Stars program has been established in the Derby Primary School since 2015 and by absorbing the High School program too it allows for a more seamless transition for future participants going from primary school into high school.
Shooting Stars Executive Officer Fran Haintz said whilst the growth of the Shooting Stars program is exciting, the transition of participants is the priority during this period.
“The wellbeing of our new participants is at the forefront of all our decisions,” said Haintz.
“Keeping the staff from Girls Academy not only supports the participants transition but also ensures Shooting Stars is supporting Aboriginal women in their local communities with job prospects and growth opportunities.”
