There are very few high schools that invoke overwhelming praise from students, parents and teachers alike but, during the recent graduation period for 2022, this was the case for The BUSY Schools.

The BUSY School is an initiative of The BUSY Group, a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of apprenticeship, employment, training and career support programs. The BUSY Group has opened four BUSY School campuses throughout Queensland – in Cairns, Shailer Park, Salisbury and Coolangatta – and are set to open further campuses in 2023, including a Brisbane City campus opening in time for Term 1, January 2023.  The schools offer an alternative senior high education (Years 11 and 12) for students who are not thriving with traditional schooling. In a relaxed but supportive environment, they aim to re-engage students with education so as to complete their QCE and move onto career pathways or further study.

During the recent Year 12 graduation period for three of the four campuses (except Coolangatta which opened in 2022 for Year 11 students who will graduate Year 12 in 2023), 161 students graduated with their Senior Education Profile (SEP), with 62.1% graduating with their QCE and approximately 75% of them gaining one or more Vocational Education and Training Qualifications.

Many of the students had previously disengaged from schooling for a variety of reasons. One parent put it succinctly when discussing her graduating daughter’s progress since coming to the school, “If you had told me twelve months ago that she would be where she is now, I wouldn’t of believed you”.

Another parent, obviously welling with pride (and holding back the tears) stated, “I’m so proud of him, I couldn’t be more proud of him, the man he is today, my son!”

While one parent believes it’s the dynamic between the teachers and the students that is key, stating, “The teachers are more like friends than teachers. The kids get to be themselves, they can open up and be accepted for who they are”.

Graduating students also had many positive things to say about their school and the difference it had made for them. Just some of the comments from students included:

“It’s a great school and I’m not just saying that, it really is a great school. They’ve helped me so much and I’m so thankful to everyone here”.

“Never thought I’d say I would miss school but I’m definitely going to miss BUSY Schools”.

“There should be more of them. Everywhere there is a high school, there should be a BUSY Schools as well.”

Shane Blood, Principal at The BUSY School Shailer Park campus stated, “The best part of my job is coming here and seeing the interactions between the teachers and the students and just seeing how happy they are. The feedback from parents is very, very positive. They may have struggled to get their kids to school for many, many years. Since coming to The BUSY Schools, that’s not a problem for them anymore”.

Leigh Hollands, Youth Worker at The BUSY School Shailer Park, stated, “The students think they’re lucky for everything The BUSY School has provided. I think I’m lucky for what they’ve brought me since they started. To see the change in them, I think we’re the lucky ones!”

Some students spoke of how they struggled with the culture of traditional schools before moving to The BUSY School, while others spoke of how the teachers at The BUSY School gave them the confidence to try for subjects they previously considered themselves failures in.

“Learning math is important…but whether you pass or fail, that doesn’t affect your value as a human…” their math teacher asserted. This statement sums up what so many students seemed to appreciate about The BUSY School — a space where they feel valued and accepted for who they are.

Graduating Year 12 students celebrating with staff and family at their end of year formal.

Find out more and watch what people say about The BUSY School  

In the first week of July each year, National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

Each year has a theme and this year’s is ‘Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up’. As a nation, it calls for us to continue to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for systemic change and keep rallying around our mob, our Elders, our communities. Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism—we must do it together.

You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. These events aim to educate all of us of the country we stand on, the language, history and achievements of our First Nations people.

National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony

National NAIDOC Week’s premiere event is the National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony which showcases Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence. Every year, a different focus city is chosen to host the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony.

Previous National NAIDOC Week Award Winners come from many different communities within Australia and have different backgrounds, however they are all part of NAIDOC history and share remarkable achievements.

One such winner was the Koori Mail, Australia’s only fully indigenous-owned and managed newspaper with a circulation of approximately 10,000 and an estimated readership across Australia of close to 100,000.

In its citation, the National NAIDOC Committee said that the Koori Mail is the only fully Indigenous-owned and managed newspaper in Australia. ‘Founded by a Walbunja businessman, Owen Carriage, the Koori Mail first went to print in May 1991. Published in both printed form and digitally each fortnight, it is a trusted voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

‘Based in Lismore, New South Wales, the Koori Mail was significantly impacted by the floods this year, affecting both the organisation and those who worked for it. However, the paper immediately pivoted to distribute emergency information and provide disaster relief. Their coordination and leadership provided support to First Nations people and the wider community in and around Lismore during this difficult time.’ The support included setting up a street kitchen and serving food to community members, many who had lost everything in the floods. The Koori Maiil is a a fine example to us all of what it truly means to ‘Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!’

References:

Echo Newspaper

NAIDOC Week 2022

National Reconciliation Week is a reminder for all Australians to contribute to achieving reconciliation for our first nation’s people in Australia, prompting all of us to learn about our shared histories and cultures.

The week always runs from 27 May to 3 June as it coincides with two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey so far: that of the 27 May, 1967 Referendum which saw an overwhelming 90% of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and recognize them in the census; and on the 3^rd June 1992, Eddie Koiki Mabo’s court challenge which lead to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands, and paved the way to Native Title.

The concept of National Reconciliation Week started in 1993, the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, as a week of prayer for reconciliation, supported by Australia’s religious communities. In 1996 the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week and in 2001, Reconciliation was formed to continue to provide leadership on reconciliation.

This same year, 2001, which saw 300,000 people cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of National Reconciliation Week which prompted other cities and towns across Australia to conduct bridge walks also.

Every year now in Australia, schools, workplaces and communities come together during Reconciliation Week to support our reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations people. This year’s theme of Be Brave, Make Change, follows on from last year’s theme to Take Action. It prompts every individual, organisation and community to take steps to help bridge the gap and find reconciliation.

At The BUSY Schools (a part of The BUSY Group), our vision for reconciliation with First Nations Peoples has its origins in our commitment to have more people in jobs, more people learning new skills, and more communities exposed to positive change, in partnership with employers and industry.

We recognise that a community-led, strengths-based approach that values the experience of First Nations Peoples is the best way to accelerate improvements in their life outcomes.

To make this vision a reality it is our intention to consult with First Nations Peoples to truly understand how we can work together to create opportunities.

The BUSY Group is driven by passion and commitment to make a difference by supporting Reconciliation through our commitment to the actions outlined in our ‘Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)’ which re-enforces our genuine commitment to improve the lives of one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world and assist in driving social change.

Throughout our offices, through morning teas and group communications, we’re encouraging all of our staff this year to Be Brave, Make Change, to reach out and connect with our First Nations Peoples, and the opportunities we can provide to improve lives through career pathways, vocational skills, employment and financial independence.

More information on Reconciliation Week 2022.

The BUSY Group was lucky enough to have one of our former employees create an art piece to represent our journey. This artwork is displayed in many of our offices.

BUSY Meeting Place by Shandell Washington – Artist

This is about the journey that BUSY has taken to get where they are now.

The black symbols represent the aboriginal men and women who had lived, worked, and looked after the land before our offices came to be where they are.

I have also painted a kangaroo and emu track to represent all the animals who walked the land before we began our journey.

 The yellow circles are in a symbol that represents ‘meeting place’. For BUSY, this whole journey has been one big meeting place for everyone to come and meet with all people across the organisation to help them gain employment or start their pathway to success. 

The biggest circle in the middle is a representation of Southport where the journey began for the BUSY staff with Martin Punch, our founding director’s hand print in the middle. Below Martin’s handprint is a sea mullet. The sea mullet represents the Yugambeh people. 

While researching for my painting I got onto uncle Ted Williams and asked if I might be able to use his totem as a symbol for the head office. Uncle Ted asked if I could paint the sea mullet, as the sea mullet represents all the Yugambeh people because when the sea mullet would come in close to shore the people would go fishing and catch a big heap of fish to then take back and share with all the mob. 

The other offices are represented through totems of the traditional owners of the land that they are situated. This is to show our respect and acknowledgement of the traditional owner. Every dot on this painting represents every worker and the individuals they have helped over the years, representing the hard work that has contributed to becoming such a great organisation.

The room was bursting with sounds of cheerful laughter, lively conversation and party horns being blown with uninterrupted zeal, as students and teachers gathered to celebrate the first birthday of the school.

The BUSY Schools Salisbury campus opened on May 19th of 2021, with just 11, Year 11 students. Almost half the school year had passed, and these first students found themselves completing an entire Year 11 syllabus in just over 6 months.

A year later, these students are just a few of the 121 students currently enrolled at The BUSY Schools, Salisbury campus. Since commencing, they have completed certificates in either construction or workplace skills, acquired first aid training, white cards, or RSAs, and—in just over 6 months, they will become The BUSY Schools Salisbury’s inaugural graduating class of 2022.

After a satisfying sausage sizzle, partygoers gathered for speeches prepared by some of their teachers and peers. Students spoke of how they struggled with the culture of traditional schools before moving to The BUSY Schools, while others spoke of how the teachers at The BUSY Schools gave them the confidence to try subjects they previously considered themselves failures in.

“Learning math is important…but whether you pass or fail, that doesn’t affect your value as a human…” their math teacher asserted. This statement sums up what so many students seemed to appreciate about The BUSY Schools Salisbury—a space where they feel valued and accepted for who they are.

Founding student, Mackenzie, had some advice for his fellow students: “I think this school is pretty good. I don’t know if all of you agree. I don’t care if all of you agree. But you’re all here now so get through it, and you’ll thank yourself for it later.”

After the speeches, a special ceremony took place—the introduction and naming of BUSY BEE, The BUSY Schools Salisbury’s new mascot. Students had placed their ideas for names into a hat, with suggestions such as Bazza and Jaquaviontavious among the contenders, and the crowd waited with bated breath as Principal, Liza Page, reached into the hat and picked out the winner—Michael with his BUSY BEE entry.

The crowd burst into laughter, and the smiles stayed on their faces as they ate a delicious cake—baked and beautifully decorated by their talented classmate, Jen. This was followed by rounds of classic party games. As some students guided their blindfolded friends through a makeshift obstacle course, others tried, and mostly failed, to Pin the Stinger on the Bee. An especial crowd-pleaser was Donut on a String, where teachers, from their perch on top of the stairs, dangled donuts above the heads of their students, who attempted to eat them without the use of their hands.

“Today was insane” grins Xero, who moved to The BUSY Schools for Year 11. “Also, it was a pretty fun thing to do.”

The BUSY Schools is a unique environment where students who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from traditional schooling can continue to work towards their QCE with support and understanding while finding their pathway to future employment.

“I actually dropped out of school early, in the middle of Year 11” confesses Liza, Principal of The BUSY Schools, Salisbury, “I wished there was a school like this, so this really captures my passion.”

“We have these people watching our backs so we don’t fall” declared Aaliyah, a founding student of The BUSY Schools, Salisbury.

To students in mainstream schools who are finding themselves disengaging with their education, Year 11 student, Matthew, recommends making a change: “This school makes me want to come to school, and try, and actually put effort into my work. So come to The BUSY Schools. It will change things.”

In its first year, The BUSY Schools, Salisbury has supported the future education and employment direction of over 120 students who were otherwise unlikely to have completed senior school — and that is certainly worth the celebration.

Students and staff celebrated the first year milestone for The BUSY Schools Salisbury campus.

The past few years have been particularly disruptive for school students across the country (no thanks global pandemic!). For Adarlia this was even more so because, on top of trying to learn via distance education, being pregnant and battling severe morning sickness saw her in hospital 2-3 days per week for most of her pregnancy.

An indication of her determination and love of learning, Adarlia persisted with wanting to finish her schooling after giving birth to her beautiful baby boy Micah. This led to her enrolling at The BUSY Schools new Coolangatta campus.

Delivering an alternative learning solution for students in years 11 and 12 who are looking for an opportunity to re-engage and complete their studies, The BUSY Schools support students to complete their QCE and graduate onto a Vocational Education and Training (VET) career or into further study, including university pathways. The BUSY Schools program is designed for students who, for a variety of reasons, find traditional schooling difficult. Teachers work closely with students and their family to re-engage them with education in a nurturing environment that leads to career outcomes or further education that suits their abilities and passions. In a highly supportive, personalised and inclusive environment, the schools offer no fees, smaller classroom sizes, wellbeing support, access to vocational work experience and career pathway guidance.

The newly opened Coolangatta campus (one of four campuses across Queensland), was the welcoming and supportive schooling environment that Adarlia needed to help her complete her studies and fulfil her career goals.

Adarlia said, “I’m someone who really enjoys education, learning and study. I really wanted to finish Year 11 and 12 but had to wait until after Micah was born to enrol”.

I love it here at BUSY Schools! The teachers are so supportive and treat us like adults, not kids. My short term goal is to start an apprenticeship to get into legal studies as I would like to get into law – either family law or criminal law. My long term goal is to become a lawyer and help indigenous kids as there is a large percentage of indigenous kids in the court system”, Adarlia further stated.

A proud indigenous woman herself, whose father hails from Gilgandra country, Adarlia is hoping to gain a scholarship into further study to help her achieve her career goals.

With her determination, incredible maturity for her age, and the support she is receiving through The BUSY Schools, there is no doubt Adarlia will be an amazing role model for her son Micah and achieve her mission of becoming a lawyer and making a positive difference for indigenous kids in the legal system.

The newly-opened Coolangatta campus is accepting enrolments for Year 11 students. For more information regarding The BUSY Schools, including eligibility and enrolment, visit www.busyschools.qld.edu.au or contact The BUSY Schools by emailing admin@busyschools.com.au or by calling 1300 176 472.

Adarlia (pictured with Micah), is determined to fulfil her goal to become a lawyer and make a positive difference for indigenous kids in the legal system.

Queensland’s answer to alternative education for disengaged youth, The BUSY Schools, will open its fourth campus in Coolangatta at the Gold Coast this April following the success of campuses opened in Cairns, Shailer Park and Salisbury in 2020 and 2021.

The opening of the Coolangatta campus will meet the growing demand for alternative schooling throughout Queensland for the many students who, for a variety of reasons, do not fit mainstream schooling.

CEO of The BUSY Schools Lee Aitken said the opening of the new campus provides Gold Coast students with the opportunity to engage with their learning in ways that are suited to their individual needs.

“We seek to understand the needs of the students to help re-engage them through a personalised approach for academic and employment outcomes,” he said.

“We’re really excited to be opening our fourth campus in Coolangatta, after identifying the increasing demand for alternative high schools and the need to service the southern end of the Gold Coast.”

The BUSY Schools, an independent senior secondary Special Assistance School network, provide individualised learning support, career planning, development and additional vocational training to year 11 and 12 students, with 420 students already enrolled throughout the state with that number expected to rise.

The first cohort of Coolangatta’s Year 11 students is set to commence on the 19^th April at their campus located in premises previously used by TAFE Queensland Gold Coast.

The small campus and classroom environment, which houses purpose-built classrooms, breakout rooms, a student kitchen and common room, recreation area and vocational training spaces, allow for alternative learning solutions with the support of vocational training and education through TAFE Queensland.

The BUSY Schools are an initiative of The BUSY Group, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers a range of employment, apprenticeship support and skills training for job seekers throughout Queensland, and reinvests into the community through initiatives like The BUSY Schools.

Paul Miles, Managing Director of the BUSY Group said the opening of the Coolangatta school was another significant step in supporting the Gold Coast community.

“The BUSY Schools recognises the need to support all young people to make the best start to their career. The BUSY Schools offer students who may not otherwise thrive in mainstream schooling a better change at fulfilling their education, skills and career goals.”

The BUSY Schools launched their first campus in Cairns in 2020, which proved to be a resounding success. Since then, two more campuses were opened in 2021, first in Shailer Park and then at Salisbury, all of which are experiencing strong demand.

Enrolment enquiries are being taken now for Term 2.

For more information on enrolling visit www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/the-enrolment-process 

It’s a new year, which means our teaching staff are working hard to plan for the year ahead, our students are enjoying their last few days of holidays before getting ready to return to school, and their parents are making sure they have everything they need for the school year.

By all accounts, it seems it’s the students who are most excited for 2022, especially our Year 12’s who will be graduating at the end of the school year. But until then, here’s what they’re most looking forward to in their final year at The BUSY Schools.

Tyler, Year 12 student at our Salisbury campus said, “This year, I am hoping to gain a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in Speech Pathology as a result of the work experience I completed last year.”

Jade, Year 12 student at our Shailer Park campus said, “I am really looking forward to welcoming the Year 11 students this year and being a leader for them.”

Mackenzie, Year 12 student at Salisbury said, “I am looking forward to completing my Certificate II in Plumbing this year.”

Sophie, Year 12 student at Salisbury said, “I can’t wait to graduate and receive all the certificates I have worked extremely hard for.”

Armin, Year 12 student at Shailer Park said, “This year, I am hoping to gain a school-based apprenticeship in Construction.”

Kacy, Year 12 student at Shailer Park said, “Last year, I began a school-based traineeship in Hospitality at a wedding Venue in Coolabah Downs.”

“This year, I am looking forward to completing it and seeing what opportunities come from it once I graduate.”

Along with everything our Year 12 students are looking forward to this year, they are most excited to graduate; a goal that some of them previously believed was not possible before coming to BUSY Schools.

Isabella, Year 12 student at our Salisbury campus said, “BUSY Schools gave my mum hope and made me feel optimistic about my future.”

Prior to coming to The BUSY Schools, all students were considered disengaged with their education, but the support and encouraging environment provided at The BUSY Schools has re-engaged them with their education and focused on working life after school.

Kira, Year 12 Graduate from our Cairns campus said, “What surprised me most when I joined BUSY Schools is that there are lots of people like me out there, students that don’t fit the mould that mainstream schooling provides for.”

Lee Aitken, CEO for The BUSY Schools said, “The BUSY Schools provide a nurturing, exciting and engaging place for students who have already disengaged or who may be at risk of disengaging from mainstream schooling.”

“Each year, more people are finding out about our holistic and alternative approach to learning. This year, we have over 130 students enrolled at our Cairns campus, over 175 students enrolled at our Shailer Park campus, and almost 100 students enrolled at our Salisbury campus.”

To those considering attending The BUSY Schools, a current student, Armin says, “Definitely consider it. It’s a good school and it will lead you in the right direction.”

For more information or to enrol at one of our campuses, visit https://www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/

MEDIA CONTACT:                     

Michelle Ryan, BUSY At Work

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