The BUSY Schools Shailer Park recently hosted their Year 11 Awards Ceremony where families and friends gathered to watch the students receive awards for their efforts throughout the year, chosen by Principal, Shane Blood and his team.

Presenting the awards were Members of The BUSY Schools Board, including Jason Sessarago, Adrian King, Kerry Gibb, and CEO, Lee Aitken. Also in attendance to present was Chief Commercial Officer of The BUSY Group, Sue Loch.

The BUSY Schools Shailer Park opened its doors at the beginning of 2021, with 14 inaugural students.  Following engagement with the local community, word spread about the innovative new school in the region and by the end of the year, 79 students had completed Year 11.

Principal, Shane Blood, announced at the Awards Ceremony that Shailer Park currently has 150 students enrolled for 2022 across both Years 11 and 12.

“The growth in student numbers has been significant, and I am so proud of the way in which our students embrace and accept new students to our school,” said Shane.

Armin, a Year 11 student at The BUSY Schools Shailer Park, was awarded the Academic Champion of Social and Community studies award, as well as an Academic Excellence award in the category Silver.

“I heard about The BUSY Schools and the opportunities it gives to its students in forming their career pathways and it seemed like the right place to start,” said Armin.

“I couldn’t have gotten to where I am today without the support from my teachers and Shane who helped me better myself and my situation.”

Kacy, another Year 11 student, couldn’t agree with her classmate more, saying “I was losing motivation for my education but then I came to The BUSY Schools where my teachers push me to do my very best and now I am the Academic Champion for Essential English and received the Gold award for Academic Excellence.”

Year 11 student Zac was another who received recognition and, in addition to receiving an Academic Excellence award in the Bronze category, he also received the Perseverance award, sponsored by The Honourable Mick de Brenni, Member for Springwood, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement.

“I received a personalised message from Mick De Brenni and a gift certificate which was really cool. I never thought I was capable of achieving so much but I am very dedicated to what I do and get back up through the tough times,” said Zac.

When presenting the award, Shane said, ”Zac has exhibited true perseverance to make it this far and to now have real plans for his future.”

With the Year 11 students moving on to Year 12 next year, the school decided to form a Student Representative Committee and appointed Jade as the Chairperson.

“I’m really excited for what this next year will bring and am looking forward to being able to be a leader and representative for not only my classmates, but also the new Year 11s that are coming in,” said Jade.

Jade was awarded the Academic Champion for Essential Mathematics, the Academic Excellence award in the Silver category and a Spirit Award for achieving 95% attendance throughout the school year.

“I was shocked when I found out I topped Maths, but I guess it shows just how far I’ve come.”

Lee Aitken, CEO for The BUSY Schools said, “We are all really proud of the first Year 11 cohort at The BUSY Schools Shailer Park and the progress they have made with their education, as well as the new friendships they have formed due to the welcoming environment here. The BUSY Schools makes a difference for those students who’ve previously been disengaged with their education, by providing a safe and welcome environment for them which encourages them to re-engage in their learning.”

For more information or to enquire about enrolling in 2022, visit https://www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work

0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au

After opening its doors just six months ago, The BUSY Schools Salisbury has successfully completed its very first school year and recently hosted the Year 11 Awards Ceremony where families and friends gathered to watch the students receive awards chosen by their teachers and Principal, Toni Banfield.

The student who walked away with not one, but five awards was Sophie who exceeded everyone’s expectations this year, including her own.

“I dropped out of school because I frequently suffered from anxiety attacks but then I came across The BUSY Schools where I gained a lot of support from my teachers and now I am getting straight As.” said Sophie.

Sophie was presented with the Work Experience Award, Year 11 Essential Mathematics Award, Year 11 Social and Community Studies Award, Academic Excellence Award and Encouragement Award.

“The BUSY Schools has definitely made a big difference in both my life and my education,” added Sophie.

Tyler, another student at Salisbury, also feels The BUSY Schools has helped him, saying it is enjoyable and better for his mental health. Similar to Sophie, Tyler also received an Encouragement Award for demonstrating commitment to The BUSY Schools program and, despite personal challenges, remaining engaged to complete his Year 11 studies.

“I feel proud to be here and see how the environment and people around me change for the better,” said Tyler.

Owen, another Year 11 student, received the Certificate I in Construction Encouragement Award for helping to build the campus kitchen benches.

Chris, Trainer at Registered Training Organisation, Skill360, delivered the Construction course at The BUSY Schools Salisbury and said, “Owen is a natural; he ran the workshop and showed everyone else how it should be done, it’s clear we couldn’t have built the kitchen benches without him.”

Owen has always had an interest in construction and helped his Pop build things around the house growing up. He’s also recently helped build a small two bedroom house for work experience, which he really enjoyed.

Another year 11 student, Isabella, is thriving in both her work experience and studies, saying “I’m happy, socially engaged and excelling towards my future in community services.”

Isabella also received this year’s Principal Award for consistently modelling The BUSY Schools values, demonstrating excellence and dedication to both the academic and industry programs, maintaining consistent attendance, and going ‘above and beyond’ in the life of a BUSY School student.

“I am forever grateful to The BUSY Schools for supporting me and guiding me to be a better version of myself.”

Principal, Toni Banfield, and the teaching staff found it quite difficult to pick just one award winner for most categories, as many students performed to a high standard and all to the best of their abilities.

“Since welcoming students onto campus earlier this year, we have experienced much success. We have tripled in student numbers, have laid the foundations for our campus culture and we have witnessed each and every young person take steps along the road of success,” said Toni.

“Our students continue to grow in character and in demonstrating our BUSY values of excellence, resilience, innovation, inclusivity and integrity. It is a pleasure and a privilege to walk beside them on their journey.”

In attendance on the day were Members of The BUSY Schools Board, including Kerry Gibb and CEO, Lee Aitken, Managing Director of The BUSY Group, Paul Miles, Chief Operating Officer of The BUSY Group, Leonie Carlisle, and Acting CEO of Group Training Organisation, Skill360, Mike Bareham, who each presented awards from a particular category.

Lee Aitken, CEO for The BUSY Schools said, “More families are hearing about the positive effect BUSY Schools has on students, so much so that the number of students enrolled is growing every day. The Salisbury campus currently has 85 students enrolled for 2022 across both Years 11 and 12.”

The Year 11 students are excited to meet all the new students attending The BUSY Schools Salisbury campus next year and strongly encourage more teenagers to consider enrolling at The BUSY Schools if they are struggling in mainstream schooling.

For more information or to enrol for 2022, visit https://www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work

0407 169 029 or email michelle.ryan@busyatwork.com.au