maximising-the-middle

Term 3 Wrap Up

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 05:32:25 GMT

A Busy and Exciting Term for

Maximising the Middle

Term 3 Wrap Up!

It’s been a busy and exciting term at Maximising the Middle , with all five of our Innovation Projects approved for funding and now rolling out across Campbelltown and Penrith. We’re thrilled to see these initiatives coming to life and creating new opportunities for middle years young people (MYYP) in our communities.

Building Belonging in Campbelltown

In Campbelltown, Big Yellow Umbrella (BYU) is delivering Build & Belong, an engaging workshop series exploring identity and belonging for middle years young people across the region.

BYU has also launched The Nest at Minto Public School, a wellbeing-focused project designed to support students as they navigate the important middle years of development.

Meanwhile, at Robert Townson Public School , Ignite Your Path is already making a strong impact, with more than 120 students taking part in workshops covering a range of topics, from yoga and mindfulness to yarning circles and navigating friendships.

One particularly inspiring highlight was a group of students participating in Cook4Good , where they helped prepare nutritious meals for people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. The experience gave students a meaningful opportunity to contribute to their community while developing empathy and understanding.

“The experience allowed students to move beyond simply learning about community need and instead take meaningful, practical action. Importantly, the day was also used to help normalise needing help. Students explored the idea that people can find themselves needing assistance for many different reasons and that there should be no shame or stigma attached to seeking support. They developed a greater awareness that there are people, organisations and services within our communities who are there to support us when we need them.”

Empowering Young Leaders in Penrith

Over in Penrith, Changemakers have completed the Stride Social Leadership Training , equipping them with the skills and confidence to champion the voices of middle years young people within their schools and Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) services.

At St Mary's North Public School , planning is underway for the Calm & Connection Zone project. This initiative aims to strengthen MYYP voice within the school community while redefining what student leadership can look like. Students will play a key role in designing a mural and sensory space that helps them regulate their emotions, connect with others and foster a stronger sense of belonging.

At Penrith City Council OSHC services , Educators are supporting MYYP through the Challenge Accepted! project, helping them develop leadership skills and take on meaningful roles within their communities. We’re already seeing some fantastic ideas emerge, with middle years young people currently planning an event for Children's Week that will showcase their strengths, talents and interests.

Looking Ahead

It’s inspiring to see so many middle years young people embracing new opportunities, developing leadership skills and creating positive change within their schools and communities. As these projects continue to unfold, we look forward to sharing more stories of connection, growth and impact from across Campbelltown and Penrith.

Meet the Team!

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:47:13 GMT

Meet the audacious team behind MtM!

BIG HEARTS, LOCAL ROOTS, AND A WHOLE LOT OF BELIEF IN MIDDLE YEARS YOUNG PEOPLE

Behind Maximising the Middle is a passionate team working alongside middle years young people and communities to support collective social impact across our regions. They’re all about collaboration, connection, and making good things happen locally. Let’s meet the amazing humans behind the work!

Amie Roberston, Strategy and Partnerships Coordinator, Dharawal Country (Campbelltown)

Born and raised in Campbelltown, Amie carries her love for the area like a badge of honour. Growing up surrounded by the strength, spirit, and vibrancy of the Dharawal (Campbelltown) community, Amie developed a deep connection to the people and places that shaped her. With more than 20 years’ experience as a youth worker, she’s dived into everything from community engagement and education to program development and youth advocacy. Amie has a natural gift for bringing people together - she builds strong, meaningful connections that transform ideas into action and conversations into community. Her deep local knowledge, paired with her genuine passion for supporting middle years young people, makes her a powerful force for good across the region. Amie says; “ Middle years young people know exactly what they and their community need. When we co‑design with them and turn their ideas into real, place based action, we’re not just listening we’re transforming Campbelltown together. ”

Jodie Mitchell, Strategy and Partnerships Coordinator, Darug Country (Penrith)

Jodie is a proud mum of two adult daughters and a strong believer in giving young people the right support to aim high. She’s driven by community impact, social innovation, and creating practical pathways that help young people, and the adults around them to thrive in life and learning.

Jodie says, “ Elevate your aspirations! The middle years are when young people begin discovering who they are and what’s possible. If we get it right here, we give them confidence, choices, and real hope for the future. ”

With experience in social enterprise, entrepreneurial education, STEM, and alternative learning pathways, Jodie is especially passionate about supporting middle-years young people in Penrith to explore what’s possible.

Brooke Hardy, Program Coordinator

Brooke is a mum of two neurodiverse teenagers and grew up in both Campbelltown and Penrith. A community development specialist, Brooke brings experience in collective impact and community program management. She thinks that; “ Collective social impact emerges when communities see their own power reflected back to them. When we honour lived experience, foster belonging, and co-create with courage, we set in motion the kind of change that can reshape systems and transform futures .” Brooke is all about inclusive co-design, capacity building, and place-based initiatives that create real systems change; while keeping young people at the centre of the work.

Working together, the team is focused on collaboration, opportunity, and empowering middle years young people to shape their futures.

"We can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into the journey ahead!"

Reach out to the team: info@maximisingthemiddle.org

Maximising the Middle: A Year in Review

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 22:23:39 GMT

Setting the conditions for middle years young people to thrive

SMALL GESTURES

This year began with small but powerful gestures - showing up, having fun, and building genuine connections with Changemakers and middle years young people. From the outset, our focus has been on relationships, engagement, and creating spaces where middle years young people felt seen and heard.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Mid-year, our Changemakers Gathering brought the coalition together to celebrate successes, exchange ideas, and share stories from across the regions. It was a valuable moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our shared purpose. We shared key insights from our research project with Western Sydney University, grounding our work in evidence and the lived experiences of middle years young people. Alongside this, Changemakers strengthened their practice through the Stronger Smarter Institute’s Specialist Training. This training enabled Changemakers to deepen their understanding of processes and frameworks to enact the Stronger Smarter Approach.

LISTENING TO MIDDLE YEARS YOUNG PEOPLE

As the year progressed, we moved into the Ignite phase: listening deeply to middle years young people about what and who matters most to them, to inform projects that will be built around what they said. This meant meeting middle years young people where they are; serving up a breakfast BBQ at school, joining in a vibrant multicultural festival, and hosting focus groups with children aged 8-14 years. These moments of connection reinforced the importance of trust and curiosity in shaping meaningful change.

STRONG FOUNDATIONS

Together with our Changemakers, this year has been about listening, learning, and working alongside middle years young people to build what comes next. We’re so excited to move into 2026 with this strong foundation of High Expectation Relationships, evidence from listening to middle years young people, a focus on strengths, and considering all aspects of wellbeing, so that all middle years young people have the opportunity to thrive.

FOLLOW US

In between sausage sizzles and training, we also launched our website and socials! Keep up to date with us next year by following us:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maximising_the_middle/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580394064239
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/maximising-the-middle

Welcome to Maximising the Middle

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 04:01:02 GMT

Celebrating and Supporting Middle Years Young People Aged 8–14

We're proud to introduce Maximising the Middle (link), an initiative dedicated to celebrating and supporting middle years young people (ages 8–14). These years are full of change, discovery, and possibility. Middle years young people are finding their voices, building meaningful friendships, and developing skills that will carry them into adolescence and shape their future.

Middle years young people are curious, capable, and creative – but they also need the right supports to thrive. Too often, this age group is overlooked. Maximising the Middle was created to change this. We want to celebrate this vital stage of life and ensure every child has the opportunities, connections, and encouragement they deserve.

Our Mission

To build a coalition of people passionate about supporting middle years young people (8–14 years) to thrive in the Campbelltown and Penrith regions.

Our Vision

To foster a community that values and supports middle years young people by creating opportunities to elevate their voices and providing resources that ensure every middle years young person can thrive.

Our Aim

To deeply understand middle years young people – what they think it means to thrive, and who and what can help them get there by discovering what thriving means to them, and by identifying the people and resources that support their journey.

Working Together for Middle Years Young People

Maximising the Middle is a collaboration between three organisations that share a vision for a stronger future:

Uniting – supporting families and communities to grow together and thrive
ARACY (Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth) – bringing together knowledge and evidence to improve the lives of children and young people
Smarter Stronger Institute – empowering children, families, and communities through strengths-based, culturally grounded approaches

Together, we're supporting schools and communities to make a real difference. This is just the beginning. We'll continue to share stories, tools, and opportunities to connect.

Join Us

Please explore the website, share it with others, and join a growing movement to recognise and support middle years young people. Sign up for our mailing list.

Together, we'll build strong foundations so that every middle years young person can thrive.