Cape York Girl Academy Limited

Cape York Girl Academy Limited is a pioneering educational institution located near Cairns, Queensland, dedicated to supporting young Indigenous mothers and their babies. It is Australia’s first boarding high school designed specifically to enable young Indigenous women to live and learn alongside their children, while also accommodating young women at risk of disengaging from education. The academy provides a safe, culturally rich environment where students receive trauma-informed support to complete their secondary education and build confidence as future community leaders.

Mission and Vision

The academy’s mission is to empower young Indigenous women by providing them with the education, skills, and support necessary to break the cycle of disadvantage often associated with teenage pregnancy, social dysfunction, and disengagement from schooling. Its vision is to nurture confident, capable young women who can become catalysts for positive change within their families and communities by reconnecting with their culture and gaining meaningful qualifications.

Main Objectives

• Provide a culturally centred curriculum that maintains connections to ancestral language and cultural practices.
• Support young Indigenous mothers and their babies through holistic wrap-around case management and on-site childcare facilities.
• Offer tailored learning pathways that lead to tertiary education, vocational qualifications, or employment opportunities.
• Promote health, wellbeing, and parenting skills to improve life outcomes for both mothers and children.
• Encourage leadership and personal development to build self-worth and community engagement.

Benefiting Groups

• Young Indigenous mothers aged 12 to 17 who wish to continue their education while caring for their babies.
• Indigenous girls at risk of disengaging from education who need a supportive and culturally safe learning environment.
• The babies and young children of these mothers, who benefit from early childhood education and health programs on campus.
• Indigenous families and communities who gain from the positive ripple effects of educated, empowered young women.

Services and Activities

• Boarding facilities providing accommodation in a safe, nurturing environment with family-style living spaces.
• Early Learning Centre on-site to care for babies and young children, supporting mothers to focus on their studies.
• Individualised education programs including Queensland Certificate of Education and vocational training in areas such as childcare, business, health, and hospitality.
• Holistic wellbeing support delivered by trauma-informed staff, including health services, counselling, and cultural activities like storytelling and yarning circles.
• Work experience and school-based traineeships to prepare students for employment and further education.
• Donations are encouraged to help sustain and expand these vital services, empowering young mothers to change their lives.