Prior to graduating from The BUSY School, Kira described herself as “nervous to take risks” and found she was always second-guessing herself. But thanks to the supportive, inclusive environment at The BUSY School, Kira now has the confidence to take on the world.
In Australia, 20% of teenagers are disengaged with their education. This puts them in danger of dropping out of school, which in turn makes them more vulnerable to unemployment, poverty and crime. And these struggles can last into adulthood, creating broader impacts. The BUSY School is on a mission to change that.
The BUSY School is a coeducational senior secondary school that aims to provide a supportive, inclusive learning environment for disengaged teens in danger of dropping out of mainstream schooling. In a safe and supportive environment, students undertake a more personalised education program, combining academic studies, vocational education and training (VET) and personal development.
In 2020, Kira was one of many Queensland teenagers who was finding high school extremely difficult. She enrolled in The BUSY School and, at the end of 2021, was part of the first cohort to graduate from the school.
“They just want to help, they just want us to succeed, and they want to see us do well,” said Kira.
Graduating from The BUSY School was only the first step on Kira’s path to success. After graduation, the BUSY team helped her to find a traineeship in early childhood education and supported her all the way through her qualification.
“The BUSY School helped me to get where I am now by supporting me in my dreams,” she said.
Kira’s advice to others struggling in mainstream schooling is to understand that there is always another way. “It might not be the same way as the person next to you but there is always a way to succeed!”
Watch Kira’s journey into her career below:
