Built This Term: T2, 2025
Showcasing Impact - The skills and confidence built this term.
At the end of each term, we have the privilege to talk to parents/guardians of some of our participants about the outcomes they experience in their child after the completion of a TRACTION program.
This term we spoke with 21 parents/guardians and 95% agreed that their child had increased confidence, felt more positive about themselves and had discovered strengths. “Traction works because it provides an environment where he can feel more capable and confident to participate and reach goals.” Another parent shared that “my child went from quiet and reserved to loud and confident. It’s magical.”
We love hearing this feedback because we know that feeling confident, positive and capable are the foundations for positive educational engagement. This in turn leads to more active participation in class, an increased likelihood for asking for help and a greater determination to persevere through challenges. This feedback is also reinforced through the feedback that we gained from teachers who noted that 67% of the young people had improved effort at school and also had improved interactions with teaching staff at school. Teachers also reported that just over half (52%) of the young people had improved their academic performance.
We also learned from talking with parents/guardians that their child felt safe, accepted, welcomed and included at TRACTION.
TRACTION gives the kids a safe place to speak up and learn confidence and to be encouraged and it lets the child be who they are. It gives them less stress, more motivation, they're happier. We also were told by a parent that the programs work because every child is encouraged and supported for their own uniqueness. Everyone is equal.
This is important feedback for our team as it indicates that our principle of accepting and respecting each young person for who they are combined with a firm intention to create safe, trauma-informed and welcoming learning environments is working. It is also important because we know that positive learning environments are critical factors in enhancing a young person’s overall development and have the potential to buffer the effects of stress, and trauma and promote wellbeing. 76% of parents and guardians agree they have noticed their child’s wellbeing has improved.
“He was able to feel a really positive level of success, that is difficult for him to achieve in school. TRACTION has been very positive for his self-esteem.”
Again these outcomes are reflective of what some of our young people also shared, 81% believing that their self-care and wellbeing had improved and 100% of young people agreed that they felt safe at TRACTION and 95% agreed that they felt accepted and included by their peers. Feedback from school staff also reinforces this outcome with 68% of the young people having improved levels of wellbeing.
“Traction helps our students grow in self-confidence, build meaningful peer connections, and develop friendships with others they may not have known before, all while showing up consistently each week to participate in a supportive, hands-on environment that makes them feel capable and included.”
“Her cultural identity has become an interest for her, as has her confidence and belief that she can do hard things. Her mental health has definitely improved, as have her communication skills and self-awareness. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“He attended the program with no familiar friends and created new relationships. He enjoyed the hands-on process of the bike building, which was unexpected, now he is more content in attempting new experiences.”
IGNITE – Transitions to High School
Ignite is TRACTION’s newest program for students in Years 5–6, designed to support a successful transition to high school. With growing interest from primary schools, Ignite responds to research showing attendance often declines from Year 5 (88.5%) to Year 9 (82%) in Queensland.
The program helps young people build confidence, strengthen friendships, understand emotions, communicate respectfully, and feel comfortable asking for help — all of which support wellbeing, connection, and engagement at school.
This term, five schools joined Ignite, giving up to 50 students a head start. Encouragingly, 67% reported feeling better prepared for high school after participating.
This is what else some of our young participants had to say about what they learned during Term 2.
“I feel more confident speaking and how to ride bikes. I learn that I have the capability to learn new things.”
“I learnt about making new friends and being part of a team and being confident about doing things.”
“I learnt that you can trust people that try to help you.”