A strong Larita Academy starts with a strong community trained to support young people.

We recently welcomed around 100 members of the Larita community for Larita EmPath™ Training, hosted by Anita Pahor, Founder and Managing Director of Larita Academy and CEO of Mind Your Monkey Psychology.

This is about training and preparing an ecosystem to the highest standards. The people who will be working alongside young people across the four days. Coaches, support crew, youth organisation partners and supporters. New and returning. All aligned before we step into the 2026 Academy.

Throughout the day, we focused on best practice. Trauma-informed approaches with Dr Eamonn McCarthy. Building trust with young people with Amy Marshall. First Nations perspectives with Kellie Langmaid. Child Safety with Robert Stevens. Finishing with an energetic session on Hardiness from Dr. Paul Taylor.

Different lenses. One shared standard. Show up for young people.

A highlight was hearing from Katarzyna, Larita graduate and 2025 Student of the Year. Her reflection grounded the day in what this work looks like in practice, and why getting it right matters.

We don’t leave this to interpretation. We prepare, align and invest in the people around young people so they experience a consistent, safe and high-quality environment from day one.

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