The BUSY School’s 2023 graduation ceremonies gave staff, teachers, family members and students a chance to celebrate and reflect on the past years’ achievements.

With formal graduation ceremonies held across The BUSY School’s Queensland campuses, the glamour and drama were amped up by the students who went all out for the occasion, arriving in red carpet worthy attire and many making grand entrances in a variety of classic cars.

Overcoming Challenges: Student Success Stories

For many of the students, before enrolling at The BUSY School, completing high school felt unachievable.

Grace Kennedy, a graduating Cairns campus student, stated during the ceremony, “If it wasn’t for BUSY Schools, I wouldn’t be graduating high school and that’s something that’s a very big achievement of mine. I’m very grateful to have you guys in my life!”

Kim Barrett, parent of Liam who is a graduating student at the Brisbane campus, also emphatically thanked BUSY School, stating, “Liam came to The BUSY School because he’d been disengaged with the school that he was at. I chose The BUSY School for my son because I could see that it would provide the support he needed to finish year 12. The schools are great for students that are struggling with mainstream schooling.”

And Liam said of his experience, “The teachers and staff here have helped me discover paths and opportunities that I couldn’t find in regular mainstream schooling.”

The BUSY Schools Difference: A Unique Educational Approach

“To understand what sets The BUSY School apart, read more about the BUSY Schools Difference, highlighting their unique educational approach.”

Gratitude and Reflections from the BUSY School Staff

It seems the benefits of The BUSY School were not just experienced by the students, with many of the teachers also sharing their gratitude during the ceremonies. Curriculum Coordinator, Sumaya Layne, stated, “We say that this school is a school for the students who are disengaged in mainstream education, but I can tell you it’s also for the teachers who don’t fit into mainstream schools!”

Career Pathways and Success Stories

Explore the Career Pathways offered by BUSY Schools, which play a crucial role in the success stories of their graduates.”

Nola Louise Rasmussen, Teacher at the Brisbane campus also shared her sentiment on the night, stating, “Every student has potential, and when you see them move in that potential it’s just so heart moving. I’m trying not to cry right now because I’m so proud! I just love that I get to see them excel and grow from strength to strength.”

Principals’ Perspectives on Student Transformation

Klaus Knobloch, Principal at The BUSY School Coolangatta campus, said during the ceremony, “Many of our students who first start with us have lost their love for learning, but by the time they finish with us in year 12 they have re-engaged in learning and have become lifelong learners. They really look forward to the future – and they have hope again!”

His sentiment was shared by Principal of the Cairns campus, Naomi Vucas, who stated during their graduation ceremony, “They started last year in year 11 very negative to school. To see their commitment to education, their commitment to the future, their commitment to supporting each other across the two years, it has been absolutely amazing. They’re just a fantastic group of young people!”

Principal of the Salisbury campus, Ingrid Rucinski, stated, “The most consistent message I hear from parents about young people who have come to The BUSY Schools is how we’ve saved lives. Now they’re making better choices, doing things that are healthier, and it’s an amazing thing to be a part of!”

The BUSY School is an initiative of The BUSY Group, a not-for-profit organisation offering a range of apprenticeship, employment, education, training and career support programs. The schools offer an alternative education model for years 11 and 12 students who are not thriving with traditional schooling. In a relaxed but supportive environment, they aim to re-engage students with education to complete their QCE and move onto career pathways or further study.

With seven campuses across Queensland and more campus openings planned for 2024, The BUSY School continues to support young people to complete their education and find a career path that’s right for them.

Delve into the comprehensive educational Programs at BUSY Schools, designed to re-engage and inspire students.”

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

Leading alternative education provider for disengaged youth, The BUSY School, recently held their official opening of its Brisbane City campus. The Honourable Grace Grace, Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing attended to officially open the school during the ceremony.

The Brisbane campus opened in 2023 to meet the growing demand for alternative schooling throughout Queensland for the many students who, for a variety of reasons, do not succeed in the mainstream schooling system.

Liam Barrett began Term 1 this year at the Brisbane City campus and said of his experience, “The teachers and staff here have helped me discover paths and opportunities I couldn’t find in regular mainstream schooling.”

Liam’s mother was searching for a school after recognising her son was disengaging with his education, stating, “I chose The BUSY School for my son because I could see it would provide the support he needed to finish Year 12. BUSY Schools is great for students who have disengaged from mainstream schooling.”

Reflecting on how far the Brisbane City campus students had come since the beginning of the year, at their recent graduation celebrations, Campus Principal Anne English stated, “At the start of the year, on day one, 25 Year 11 students began their journey with us.  Then by the end of Term 1 there were 64 of you, which quickly became 101 by the end of Term 2. Each and every one of you has worked incredibly hard to achieve your successes today.  You have demonstrated the values of The BUSY School – to be inclusive, to strive for excellence, to be resilient, to show integrity, and to embrace innovation, and helped us to create a school with a culture that we all can be proud of.

Lee Aitken, CEO of The BUSY Schools said the campus has provided Brisbane based 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.

The BUSY School, an independent senior secondary Special Assistance School network, provides individualised learning support, career planning development, and additional vocational training to year 11 and 12 students. There are currently seven campuses throughout Queensland with plans to open more in 2024.

The 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 School.

The BUSY School Brisbane staff at the official opening of the campus.

The BUSY School is proud to announce the opening of our eighth school campus in the heart of Ipswich. Opening in term 1 next year, this is another step in our mission to support and empower disengaged students in years 11 and 12, guiding them towards attaining a senior school certificate (QCE), achieving employment outcomes and setting the stage for a bright future.

At the helm of the Ipswich campus is Principal Tim Gado, a dedicated advocate for education and student wellbeing. With extensive experience and a proven record of improving senior schooling outcomes, Tim brings valuable expertise to lead our Ipswich Campus.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this dynamic and innovative organisation and lead the new Ipswich Campus as campus principal,” Tim said. 

“The values I personally place on the importance of education resonate with The BUSY School philosophy of helping young people who have disengaged from mainstream schooling achieve high-quality educational and employment outcomes.   

“I look forward to contributing to the success and growth of The BUSY School and being a part of a community that values excellence in education,” he said.  

There has been a high demand and numerous requests to open a BUSY School in the region.

CEO of The BUSY School, Lee Aitken said The BUSY School has been consulting with the Ipswich community since early 2022 to understand local youth issues and how we can help young people who’ve disengaged from education.

“This has included local community groups, the school sector and local and state government representatives who were seeking more alternatives to support youth,” he said.

“The BUSY School will offer Ipswich disengaged youth an opportunity to re-establish their confidence, self-worth and motivation to achieve educational and employment outcomes through a flexible education program that combines academic studies, Vocational Education and Training (VET) and professional and personal development.”

The Ipswich campus is set to welcome year 11 students in term 1 next year and is currently taking enrolments.

For more information or to register your interest, please refer to the enrolment form, call 1300 176 451 or send an email to ipswich@busyschools.com.au.