Meet Andrew Cavanagh, Cleveland Campus Principal
Empathy in Education – Inside The BUSY School’s Visionary Approach
Amongst the growing campuses of The BUSY School lies a visionary leader who has created a sanctuary where students are not just educated, but understood, embraced, and empowered. At the helm of this transformative institution stands Andrew Cavanagh, Principal of the Cleveland Campus.
His personal journey as a young person growing up in a home affected by addiction to becoming an educational visionary is not just a testament to his resilience, but an example of how one person can make a profound difference in the lives of many.
Andrew’s compassion and unwavering dedication to his students, staff, and the broader community radiates through every word he speaks. “I resonate with young people that don’t have the greatest of upbringing.”
“I feel my mission in life is to empower people who feel they don’t have a voice, and I believe the team is really onboard with this vision for every student to succeed at The BUSY School, I have been lucky to be surrounded with passionate educators that have worked tirelessly to support this work.”
It was his background as a musician that initially ignited Andrew’s passion for education. After being inspired by Montessori education and alternative education models, he developed an interest in creating a school that truly met the needs of students, starting with the learning environments where spaces could honour and prioritise co-regulation and enhance flow for all students, regardless of their story or background. This moment marked the beginning of his journey into education, driven by a desire to authentically empower young people to take charge of their lives.
Central to the team’s philosophy is the importance of connection and relationships in creating a welcoming and safe environment.
Andrew emphasised, “Connection with students and forming positive relationships is key. They are the ones who teach us at times, and there’s beautiful moments of growth for us as trusted adults.
“They aren’t bad kids. They aren’t naughty kids. A common theme that I’ve found is they just haven’t had a voice and they feel that’s been taken away from them. There hasn’t been an opportunity to feel at ease with themselves.”
Andrew challenges the traditional notion of education, advocating for a shift towards trauma-informed learning and emphasises the importance of teaching young people the importance of emotional intelligence to unpack why they have not enjoyed school.
“For our staff, it’s about empathy, understanding, and a focus on connection, when this is not present, little to no learning occurs. Compliance, yes, learning, not so much. We are very lucky that The BUSY School makes time and prioritises this.”
Andrew’s commitment to addressing student disengagement extends beyond the classroom, calling on businesses and communities to embrace empathy and understanding.
“Giving someone a chance is crucial. We can all relate to that person when we were young, that gave us a chance. Every opportunity we provide is a chance for someone’s life to change for the better. If we want youth crime rates to decrease, we need to start understanding what is going on for our families in our local communities”
For educators, Andrew stresses the importance of self-care and reflection, urging them to consider their own needs before stepping into the classroom.
“Educator self-care is essential,” he advises. “Preparing ourselves to be a calming and stable presence must be the priority. This is why The BUSY School has committed to our 1:16 student teacher ratio, teacher aid support and onsite counsellors and youth workers, every day of the week.”
The impact of Andrew and the team’s work is tangible, with stories of transformation echoing through the halls. One such story is that of a student on the autism spectrum who, after struggling with the beginnings of violent behaviour and self-harm, found solace and success at The BUSY School. Within a year and a half, she transformed into a verbal, confident, high-achieving student, a testament to the power of understanding and support.
As the team looks to the future, the vision is clear: education for connection and peace. With empathy, understanding, and self-care at the forefront, he is paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.
To those feeling disengaged or lost, Andrew offers words of reassurance.
“You matter. You can turn things around. There are opportunities waiting for you.”
Find out more about The BUSY School Cleveland or any of our eight campuses across Queensland.
