Girls Academy success

Geraldton Senior High School has adopted a program which has improved indigenous attendance rates to 8 per cent higher than the national average.

Girls Academy is a response to a gender imbalance in Aboriginal investment, with figures showing that educational programs for Aboriginal boys get 300 per cent more investment than programs for girls.

The academy reports that 82 per cent of graduates attend university, TAFE or are employed.

While enrolled, students participate in team building exercises scheduled into their timetables and learn work and life skills, including writing a resume.

More than 100 Geraldton Aboriginal girls from Years 7, 10, 11 and 12 are enrolled in the academy.

Geraldton Senior High School is the only Mid West school to adopt the program so far.