Aboriginal Girls Circle (AGC)

As part of the AGC program, Dr Sue Roffey  provides Circle Solutions training to teachers and community service providers participating in the AGC. Circle Time provides a space in which young people can develop and learn awareness and understanding of their own behaviour and that of others, about communication skills, and conflict resolution.  

 

The girls who participate develop resiliance and relationship skills; increase self-motivation, self-esteem and self-respect;learn how to communicate better with each other, school, family and elders; develop greater social and community awareness; are better at empathising with others; are more committed to their education; learn how to develop and carry out a project 


Listen to a radio interview with Dr Roffey about it here. 


Over the first 12 months of the program 2010-2011, all key stakeholders, i.e. the participants, teachers, community members and elders reported a positive impact on the girls in terms of their participation and increased confidence.  In support of the girls building community connections, the project is being developed to include a community mentor role that links interested community members, including local businesses to engage and support the girls.  This mentor program is being developed by Jenny Morris, Orijen Group.
 
In November 2011, the University of Western Sydney confirmed a research partnership project that will begin early 2012 to determine the specific effects of the AGC for participants' resilience, wellbeing and connectedness, investigate and track the development of culturally appropriate tools and methods, and evaluate the relative effectiveness of various components of the program. The research will investigate the nature of self-concept and Cultural identity in this group and develop a framework and tools for further longitudinal evaluation of the AGC program. 

This program offers interested organisations or individuals the opportunity to help young Aboriginal women play a part in shaping their futures through both Circle sponsorship and Project Mentoring roles.
 
To find out more, please contact: madelene.mcgrath@napcan.org.au

AGC Sponsors

NAPCAN would like to thank the following organisations for their ongoing support

- Department of Education, Employment and Work Place Relations (DEEWR)
- APA Group
- NAB
- Rothschild Australia 
- NSW Department of Education