This month, The BUSY School was saddened by the trends in school attendance reported in the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Growing up in Queensland Report 2024.

Key findings from the report revealed a significant decline in regular school attendance and completion rates across Queensland.  

Queensland was listed towards the bottom, with one of the lowest percentages of fully engaged young people, with only 77.9% of students fully engaged in education.  

Most striking, was the regular school attendance rate dropping to 49.1% in 2022 compared to 70.4% in 2018.  

The BUSY School offers a proactive solution for engaging students, a vital service as evidenced by the reported statistics.  

The BUSY School has reaffirmed its position to provide dedicated services aimed at addressing attendance challenges. 

In recent discussions The BUSY School emphasised the importance of its dedicated bus services and unwavering commitment to supporting students in accessing public transport concessions at campuses where access to regular train and bus routes is limited.  

Recognising the critical role transportation plays in ensuring regular attendance, The BUSY School has prioritised the purchase of a 24-seater bus to eliminate barriers to attendance for students at the Cleveland Campus.
The purchase of this bus demonstrates The BUSY School’s dedication to providing a safe and reliable means of transportation for students, particularly those facing challenges in commuting to campus, empowering students to fully engage in their education. 

Head of The BUSY School, Bill Weigall said, “We believe that access to reliable transportation should not be a barrier to education.  The BUSY School mission has always gone beyond education; it’s about empowering our students to overcome barriers and reach their full potential, no matter the obstacles they may face.” 

The BUSY School operates as a not-for-profit and extends its heartfelt appreciation to the corporations, businesses, and community members whose support enables them to make purchases to continue the mission. Through collaborative efforts, The BUSY School is committed to supporting students and aims to expand support and services to reach even more communities in need.  

READ THE FULL REPORT 

The BUSY School is proud to announce the continued support and generous sponsorship from von Bibra Auto Group.

The BUSY School is proud to announce the continued support and generous sponsorship from von Bibra Auto Group, a commitment that demonstrates their dedication to transforming the lives of disengaged students in our communities. 

Wade von Bibra, Managing Director of von Bibra Auto Group, and his compassionate team at their multiple Gold Coast car yards have once again demonstrated their commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. The partnership, which began in 2023, has provided meaningful support towards the success and achievements of The BUSY School’s student body. 

One of the key initiatives introduced by von Bibra Auto Group is from every new car sold, von Bibra car owners can select The BUSY School for a $20 direct donation. This thoughtful gesture amounted to approximately $20,000 for the year of. We’re thrilled that the partnership initiative will continue in 2024, with all funds raised enabling further support for young people disengaged from mainstream schooling. 

Wade von Bibra expressed his enthusiasm for the cause, stating, “The whole team at von Bibra really get behind these teenagers, love getting involved in the energetic fundraising events BUSY School hosts, and feels a sense of pride when reflecting on our chosen charity being our neighbours, the kids we see around our local community.” 

Lee Aitken, CEO of The BUSY School, emphasised the importance of community collaboration, saying, “It takes a community to raise a community, and Wade and the team have been the most respectful and supportive group of people who understand our mission that every young person deserves an education and a place to belong.” 

The impact of von Bibra Auto Group’s sponsorship extends beyond financial contributions. The team actively engages with The BUSY School’s events and initiatives, fostering a sense of community and providing options for work experience and auto mechanic career pathways to support students. 

As the partnership enters its second year, the student body of The BUSY School can once again look forward to the energy and generous donations from the von Bibra team. The 2024 fundraising efforts promise to be a testament to the commitment of both organisations in creating positive change.  

About von Bibra Auto Group:

– von Bibra Auto Group is a leading automotive dealership with multiple locations on the Gold Coast.

– The organisation is committed to making a positive impact on the local community through various charitable initiatives.

Find out more about von Bibra Auto Group

About The BUSY School:

– The BUSY School is an independent special assistance school accredited to deliver Senior (Years 11 and 12) by the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) under the Education (Accreditation of Non-State Schools) Act 2017.

– There are eight BUSY School campuses in Queensland.

– The BUSY School program is designed to work with students who, for a variety of reasons, find traditional schooling difficult. Disengagement is often correlated to economic disadvantage, difficult home lives, mental health and wellbeing challenges, previous trauma and negative experiences in previous schooling.

– The BUSY School offers disengaged students an alternative approach to education with smaller campuses, smaller classes, a safe and supportive environment, a focus on tangible career pathways and a belief that every child deserves an education and a place to belong.

Find out more about The BUSY School

Held today at The BUSY School Coolangatta Campus, the NO LIMITS – Careers Expo offered The BUSY School students in the South-East Queensland region the opportunity to explore career pathways to support their future success.

With interactive workshops and a range of industry employers, education facilities and training organisations exhibiting, students had the chance to gain information and participate in hands-on workshops, offering them a glimpse into different trades.

Cohan, a Year 12 student and Student Leader from the Coolangatta campus shared his excitement about the expo, stating, “I’m excited about how many people are actually interested in giving us opportunities and being able to see what we can do.” As a Student Leader, Cohan acts as a bridge between the students and teachers to assist with any struggles students may be having.

“At my previous school, I didn’t really like it and I had an attitude of, ‘oh well, I’ll just do whatever, maybe mechanics’, but now that I really like school since coming here, I want to do something I enjoy.

“I’ll probably go to Southern Cross University, and I want to be a teacher. I’d like to work at an alternative school, mainly a secondary school like The BUSY School. I’d love to work in a school like this; I believe these types of schools are more personalised and more suited to most students these days.”

Jasper and Seth, Year 11 students from the Shailer Park campus, also attended the day. Both are interested in construction and have already started a school-based apprenticeship. They are taking the opportunity to connect with potential future employers who attended the day.

Jasper said, “The expo is great as we can suss out future job opportunities; it’s a good way to try and find work. I’m interested in construction, and I’m already doing a school-based apprenticeship in construction landscaping.”

Dahna Woods, representing Study Gold Coast—an organisation that connects students to further study and work opportunities upon leaving school—said the reason they exhibited today was, “We are the peak body for industry education, connecting young people with industry across the Gold Coast. It gives us an opportunity to understand what students are after and let them know how we can assist them into industry pathways after completing school.”

Marikka Wilken, Employment Pathway Officer at The BUSY School Coolangatta, said, “We’re really motivated to get our students out there to see what opportunities are available to them. We wanted to give them the opportunity to meet prospective employers.

“We’re really excited by the effort that the exhibitors have put in, the turnout here today, and also the interaction from the students!”

The NO LIMITS – Careers Expo exhibitors included a range of local businesses and esteemed community organisations, Registered Training Organisations, renowned Universities and Trade Industry representatives. View the full list of exhibitors here.

The day provided interactive workshops, a barbecue lunch that everyone enjoyed and even live DJs to add to the atmosphere!

Plan ahead! Our event will be held annually, so if your business is keen on exhibiting in 2025, please contact:

Carly Brown via email at carly.brown@thebusygroup.com.au

Cohan (centre) with the crew from Southern Cross University who exhibited on the day. Cohan is interested in a career path as a high school teacher.

Jasper (L) and Seth (R) with the crew from Smart Apprenticeship Solutions, a Group Training Organisation that offers employment opportunities for apprentices.

At The BUSY School, our mission is to address a critical issue affecting our country: 20% of senior school students are currently disengaged or at risk of disengagement from mainstream education. That’s one in five young people! We exist to close the disengagement gap by providing alternative learning to students in Years 11 and 12.

The BUSY School envisions more young people completing school, entering meaningful employment, and exposing communities to positive change. Our purpose is to understand the needs of our students, our people, and our community, building positive, respectful, and productive relationships to maximise engagement, enhance educational achievement, and open the world of career opportunities.

Our dedicated team of teachers, youth workers, employment pathways officers, and teachers’ aides collaboratively work to provide comprehensive support, enabling students not only to cope but to thrive. We go beyond conventional services typically seen in special assistance schools by identifying and removing barriers to attendance and enjoyment of learning, and placing a focus on employment pathways.

Our program prioritises a comprehensive approach to student development, ensuring each participant completes a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan and co-develops an Individual Learning Plan. We seamlessly integrate academic subjects, Vocational Education and Training (VET), and professional and personal development initiatives.

Former student Tyla Stanton’s journey exemplifies the success stories emerging from The BUSY School’s commitment to transformative education. Tyla is living up to his name and is now an apprentice tiler and working in construction, He discovered his passion during a pivotal work experience opportunity while attending our school, started a school-based apprenticeship before leaving to complete his apprenticeship. Or Ninah who, after struggling at her previous school, is now pursuing her dream to become a sound engineer. The BUSY School understand each student has different skills, aspirations and needs and we personalise our approach to ensure they are supported to realise their goals.

Our goal is for 100% of students to be employed or bound for further studies by graduation!

The BUSY School program depends on the generous support of individuals and corporations. By sharing our mission, you contribute to a movement that empowers young minds to thrive, graduate, and embark on successful career journeys. Help us raise awareness and build a future where every student can succeed.

About The BUSY School

The BUSY School Ltd is a registered charity, Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) with charity tax concessions, endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Covered by Item 1 of the table in section 30-15 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997, we are committed to helping young people, including those with complex learning and social support needs, restore their self-worth, dignity, and achieve educational and employment outcomes.

For more information or to contribute to our movement connect with:

Lana Endersby, Corporate Partnerships Manager, The BUSY School

P: 0476772640

E: lana.endersby@busyschools.com.au

www.busyschools.qld.edu.au/donate