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Enrolments open for school with a difference

Schools

Excitement is building around a unique new school opening next year for young people aged 17 to 24 in the northern suburbs.

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Compass Catholic Community achieved significant milestones last month with enrolments for 2022 commencing, the slab laid at the Davoren Park site, and branding released.

Principal Kelly Bunyon said the response to the new school had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“Everyone is really excited and very positive,” she said.

Recent media coverage of the project, mooted more than five years ago by the Adelaide Archdiocese and Catholic Education South Australia, has helped create interest.

“After my radio interview I had one mum call and say she thought it would be ideal for her  teenager,” Ms Bunyon said.

“We’ve had inquiries from young people riding past the site on their bikes, from other schools, and we’ve been making connections with organisations working with young people in the local council area.”

The school is the cornerstone of a new education and community services ‘village’ for young people who may have faced barriers to living a life that is meaningful to them.

Ms Bunyon said they might be experiencing social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties which have become obstacles to their attendance and completion of mainstream schooling.

With capacity initially for up to 120 students, there will be one teacher to 12 students at the fee-free, co-educational school.

“Compass is a registered school, with registered teachers, a true secondary school offering SACE and VET, but with flexible and project-based learning,” Ms Bunyon said.

“There will be no subjects, no bells, no uniforms and there will be free on-site childminding for students with pre-kindy aged children to help remove any barriers.”

The school will also provide free breakfast in a kitchen hub every morning and a full-time social worker onsite to support young people.

“Even the way students enrol is different to mainstream schools. They can have a conversation at a shopping centre, with their social worker, or with us by text, phone call or social media,” Ms Bunyon said.

“And they can start any time of the school year, whenever they are ready.”

Information packs are available for potential students and the broader community.

For more information, visit www.compass.catholic.edu.au or call on 8288 4900.

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