AFL Cape York House – for Girls (AFLCYHG) aims to provide educational, employment and training opportunities for Indigenous girls from Far North Queensland’s most remote communities in a culturally appropriate, safe and secure residential environment to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. AFLCYHG has established partnerships with nine secondary schools in Cairns. Whilst attending our partner schools, students are supported in their educational and pastoral care needs. Our cohort are mentored and supported in education and life skills with the aim of accessing high education, employment and training opportunities post-secondary education.
The AFLCYHG boarding experience is educational in a way that’s not singularly focused on academia but on co-curricular activities as well as teaching life skills. Boarding here is a holistic opportunity. AFLCYHG builds on self-identity, worth and growth. Success is achieved when individuals can demonstrate their uniqueness while aspiring to achieve their best in academic, sporting, cultural and personal pursuits.
It is AFLCYHG’s charter to anticipate individual girls’ needs and promote engagement throughout boarding life. Our engagement philosophy centres on activities that promote social justice, education, civic-wellbeing and fostering a strong sense of community spirit.
AFL Cape York House – for Girls (AFLCYHG) aims to provide educational, employment and training opportunities for Indigenous girls from Far North Queensland’s most remote communities in a culturally appropriate, safe and secure residential environment to ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. AFLCYHG has established partnerships with nine secondary schools in Cairns. Whilst attending our partner schools, students are supported in their educational and pastoral care needs. Our cohort are mentored and supported in education and life skills with the aim of accessing high education, employment and training opportunities post-secondary education.
The AFLCYHG boarding experience is educational in a way that’s not singularly focused on academia but on co-curricular activities as well as teaching life skills. Boarding here is a holistic opportunity. AFLCYHG builds on self-identity, worth and growth. Success is achieved when individuals can demonstrate their uniqueness while aspiring to achieve their best in academic, sporting, cultural and personal pursuits.
It is AFLCYHG’s charter to anticipate individual girls’ needs and promote engagement throughout boarding life. Our engagement philosophy centres on activities that promote social justice, education, civic-wellbeing and fostering a strong sense of community spirit.
AFL Cape York House – for Girls is a 50-bed residential boarding facility located in Redlynch, approximately 15 minutes from Cairns CBD. Located at the foot of Redlynch Valley, the facility is home to young Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders from Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory’s most remote communities. The facility was constructed in 2018 and opened in January 2019. AFLCYHG is a teenager’s haven, with a 12m pool onsite, half-court basketball court, outdoor amphitheatre (movie wall) as well as an indoor Recreation Room and fully functioning gym. These spaces allow our students plenty of time to interact, share positive experiences and separate from the regular boarding environment of routine, school and study. AFLCYHG also has a fully resourced classroom that enables our young girls to continue their learning, after the school day finishes.
AFLCYHG believe that our students are future elders. We believe that through positive relationships, life experience and individual support, in education, wellbeing and life skills, our girls will transition successfully into whatever it is they want to be/do. Our girls have the opportunity to shape a better world and our role at AFLCYHG is to provide an environment that supports, cares and nurtures our girls through this transition to become proud, committed, united and successful young women.
Our education pillar supports each student transition from community into boarding and within the school environment. We support AFLCYHG students academically to achieve their potential – through in-class learning support, referred support and/or tutoring. It is our responsibility to liaise with schools and advocate for students regarding behaviour, academic support and wellbeing. We complete academic testing (band-scaling) for new/existing students, for the creation of Individual Learning Plans which enables us to work alongside our partner schools to provide the best support for students within the school environment; transitioning, classroom, playground – leading to improved outcomes.
We facilitate contextual student understanding workshops with schools to best support the learning outcomes of students and build capacity in schools regarding the education of our girls. Our in-class supports (Student Mentors) role model positive behaviours, provide academic support in the classroom, increase student engagement and develop confidence leading to independence in an educational setting.
Our wellbeing program oversees the provision of and access to local health services, which also includes pastoral care and wellbeing support to all AFLCYHG students. We have designed programs that focus on developing students emotional resilience and individual personal responsibility through social/emotional learning which is achieved through individual support plans for each student. Such plans also assist staff to develop appropriate strategies and approaches in relation to student behaviour management – creating a more secure environment for all. Individual support plans allow for effective case management by staff and enables students to develop a sense of identity and personal worth that drives them to contribute in boarding, school and community.
Our holistic wellbeing framework ensures girls are adequately supported as per their needs as well as identifying the areas of support or referrals required. This framework aligns to our behavioural matrix which provides consistency and balance when dealing with behavioural outcomes (consequences).
Our transitions pillar is responsible for assisting students aged 15-21 years with intensive, pre-employment support to improve their work readiness, help them in to work or further education opportunities and provide ongoing support, coaching and mentoring during their placement. AFLCYHG actions opportunities in line with Individual Pathway Plans and the aspirations of students to ensure they have every opportunity to articulate desires from schooling to a post schooling pathway.
Through these plans, we link students to employment or employment services; utilising formal and informal partnerships with business, industry, education and training providers.
Our education pillar supports each student transition from community into boarding and within the school environment. We support AFLCYHG students academically to achieve their potential – through in-class learning support, referred support and/or tutoring. It is our responsibility to liaise with schools and advocate for students regarding behaviour, academic support and wellbeing. We complete academic testing (band-scaling) for new/existing students, for the creation of Individual Learning Plans which enables us to work alongside our partner schools to provide the best support for students within the school environment; transitioning, classroom, playground – leading to improved outcomes.
We facilitate contextual student understanding workshops with schools to best support the learning outcomes of students and build capacity in schools regarding the education of our girls. Our in-class supports (Student Mentors) role model positive behaviours, provide academic support in the classroom, increase student engagement and develop confidence leading to independence in an educational setting.
Our wellbeing program oversees the provision of and access to local health services, which also includes pastoral care and wellbeing support to all AFLCYHG students. We have designed programs that focus on developing students emotional resilience and individual personal responsibility through social/emotional learning which is achieved through individual support plans for each student. Such plans also assist staff to develop appropriate strategies and approaches in relation to student behaviour management – creating a more secure environment for all. Individual support plans allow for effective case management by staff and enables students to develop a sense of identity and personal worth that drives them to contribute in boarding, school and community.
Our holistic wellbeing framework ensures girls are adequately supported as per their needs as well as identifying the areas of support or referrals required. This framework aligns to our behavioural matrix which provides consistency and balance when dealing with behavioural outcomes (consequences).
Our transitions pillar is responsible for assisting students aged 15-21 years with intensive, pre-employment support to improve their work readiness, help them in to work or further education opportunities and provide ongoing support, coaching and mentoring during their placement. AFLCYHG actions opportunities in line with Individual Pathway Plans and the aspirations of students to ensure they have every opportunity to articulate desires from schooling to a post schooling pathway.
Through these plans, we link students to employment or employment services; utilising formal and informal partnerships with business, industry, education and training providers.
Boarding Manager
I have been Boarding Manager since the facility opened in January 2019. Prior to AFLCYHG, I was the Game Development Manager of AFL Cape York.
Student Services Manager
I was born and raised in Cairns with connections to Mabuiag Island, Darnley Island, Fiji, Tonga, Old Mapoon, Papua New Guinea and Jamaica.
Transition Teacher
I started working as the Education QLD Transition Support Teacher at AFLCYGH after working as a teacher for nearly 10 years in the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area, & Townsville.
Career and Pathways Coordinator
I started with AFLCY in 2018 as a Residential Boarding Supervisor and the transitioned into the role of Careers and Pathways Coordinator.
Student Wellbeing Coordinator
I’m a Guru Gulu Gunggandji woman from Yarrabah. I also have connections to Hammond Island, New Plymouth and Papua New Guinea.
Boarding Coordinator
I have been a part of AFL Cape York for many years - firstly as a student and then in roles such as; coaching, volunteering and employment as RBS.
Career and Pathways Officer
Student Support Officer
Administration Trainee
I graduated from AFLCYH for Girls in 2022 and have returned to join the team as a staff working in the admin.
AFL Cape York House – for Girls Boarding Manager, Sean Hunter
AFL Cape York House – for Girls
Applications now open in the girls boarding for 2024
AFL Cape York House – for Girls