Finishing Strong: Setting Young People Up for Success in 2026
Built in T4: 2025
How a young person finishes the school year shapes how they step into the next one, especially with the long summer break! For those transitioning to high school, or entering the more complex years of grades 9–10, confidence and connection can’t wait until day one. They need to be built early, intentionally and consistently.
That’s why we double down in Term 4 - ensuring young people finish the year having had their strengths seen and celebrated resulting in feeling safe, supported and capable.
And the results speak for themselves.
IGNITE: Building Confidence Before High School Begins
Our IGNITE program supports young people transitioning into high school, a time often filled with both excitement and uncertainty.
This term:
95% of participants felt safe during the program
95% reported having supportive friends
86% felt included
78% felt listened to and able to participate
76% felt confident asking for help
67% felt confident forming positive peer connections
When young people feel safe, connected and supported by trusted adults, they are far more likely to engage positively at school. IGNITE focuses on building relationship skills, communication, help-seeking and confidence to manage change, the foundations of a strong start.
Parents and carers saw the difference too:
87% reported improvements in wellbeing, peer connections and school engagement
99% said their child had increased confidence about transitioning to high school
“My son has done a 360-degree change… he has more confidence, better communication, and is more engaged at school.”
“Our child has come a long way during this term. He is loving going to school now and he has a great group of friends. It took a few years to get here!”
Finishing the year strong doesn’t just boost morale - it builds belief. And belief changes trajectories.
BUILD: Strengthening Confidence and Connection in the Middle Years
The middle years of schooling can be a critical turning point. Through BUILD, young people engage in hands-on, practical projects alongside our professional mentors - developing skills, relationships and self-belief in a structured, strengths-based environment.
This term:
90% reported increased self-confidence
81% felt more confident building and nurturing relationships
77% reported having a good group of friends
77% improved their communication skills
67% increased awareness of how their thoughts, feelings and actions affect others
These shifts translated into improved school experiences:
73% felt included at school
63% felt listened to
72% felt able to actively participate
Young people described the change in their own words:
“I have been a lot happier and excited to come to school.”
“I am not as angry and feel better about myself.”
“I’m more patient with people and happier being around others.”
Parents saw meaningful growth too:
100% agreed their child was more confident
89% reported improved wellbeing
78% noted improved connections with teachers and adults
66% observed increased school engagement
One parent shared:
“He is engaging better with school, respecting teachers more. He has expressed his interest in starting his own business doing lawn mower repairs.”
Another reflected on the impact for a young person experiencing anxiety:
“This program has helped him to make connections with new people and gave him the confidence to utilise public transport to get to and from the program.”
What Schools Are Seeing
Schools consistently report that TRACTION is a strong fit for students who may not always thrive in traditional classroom settings.
Teachers observed that:
“Clear routines, hands-on learning and one-on-one mentoring created a safe, structured environment that supported confidence, leadership and positive relationships.”
“We saw an increase in confidence from week 1 to week 7. Students were more willing to contribute their ideas and have discussions.”
These behavioural shifts: participation, contribution, collaboration - are powerful indicators of active and engaged learners.
Some schools also reported improved behaviour and attendance, including one where behavioural incidents reduced from 33 to 10 during the program, with 50% of participants attending school more regularly. The school accredited TRACTION as a key motivator for attendance.
Early Intervention Works. TRACTION Works.
Across both IGNITE and BUILD, one message is clear: when young people feel safe, connected and capable, engagement in learning and with peers and teachers at school follows.
We strongly object to perceptions about disengagement from education that frame young people as the problem. We recognise the broader drivers that can make school feel unsafe and harder to thrive in - and we work alongside young people to build the confidence, competence and momentum that shifts what’s possible.
Finishing the year strong isn’t just about ending well.
It’s about starting the next chapter ready.
As we move into a new school year, we’re proud to see young people stepping forward more confident, more connected and more hopeful about their future.