“The Northern Territory Government has been very supportive and we are grateful to the Education Department for working with us towards the common goal of closing the gap in educational outcomes.”

“It is Reconciliation Week, and a significant part of the Reconciliation process is making sure young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have the opportunities and the encouragement to realise their full potential.”

Taminmin Girls Academy Program Manager, Lateesha Jeffrey, said that working in a partnership with the school, “the Girls Academy has already made a strong and positive impact – and it’s only the beginning”.

“We are looking forward to being even more influential for our students individually, to provide and expose them to the tools that will assist them both at school and in life. Having the Girls Academy at Taminmin College will benefit this community in developing young leaders for generations to come,” said Ms Jeffrey.

Year Ten Girls Academy student Sarcora Giles-Morcom has been at Taminmin College since Year Seven said the Girls Academy had improved school life.

“School’s better now that we have Girls Academy. If we have trouble in class, we have somewhere to go. Girls Academy is an extra safe place for us in the school. If we need help with school work, staff will stay behind after school to help,” she said.

There were a number of special guests, including:

– Special guest speaker, the Northern Territory Minister for Education, Hon. Eva Lawler MLA: Member for Drysdale
– Ms Maree Bredhauer, Mayor of Litchfield Municipality
– Member for Nelson, Mr Gerry Wood MP
– Member for Goyder, Ms Kezia Purick, MP
– NT Children’s Commissioner Ms Colleen Gwynne
– Ms @Karen Broadfoot, Executive Director, Northern Region at Territory Families
– Ms Susan Bowden, Deputy Chief Executive, Department of Education