Heading to Canberra to tell of Girls Academy success

Barbequing with Federal ministers is just one of the things two members of the Girls Academy are enjoying in Canberra this week.

Courtney Smith, a Year 11 student at Newton Moore Senior High School and a dedicated member of the Girls Academy program, has flown to Canberra with her program manager, Michelle Woosnam, to tell others how they have managed to make their program work so successfully.

Courtney was chosen to participate in the trip and accompany Miss Woosnam as part of her winning the Ricky Grace Outstanding Achiever Award, which she has won two years in a row.

Miss Woosnam said she was excited about the trip and looking forward to “talking about the program and the outcomes we are having with our girls in our community”.

She said the Girls Academy’s focus was on empowering girls – its motto is “develop a girl, change a community”.

The program has been running at Newton Moore since 2009 with the number of girls involved starting at less than 30 and increasing to more than 70.

The Canberra trip will involve a barbecue with Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion and Minister for Women Michaela Cash, and visits to Parliament House and other Canberra attractions.

The pair will give a presentation in front of ministers and other Members of Parliament.

Courtney said she was excited about the three-day trip and looking forward to “having a new experience.”