Flexible Schools chief executive Matt Hawkins visits St Joseph’s in Alice Springs

A school in the Red Centre capital wants the community to know “we exist” – as they educate youth who “disenfranchised from more traditional approaches to education”.

Flexible Schools chief executive Matt Hawkins at St Joseph's in Alice Springs.

A trip to the Red Centre could see a different educational model spread throughout the region, the chief executive behind an Australia-wide education network says.

On September 18, EREA Flexible Schools chief executive Matt Hawkins visited St Joseph’s Catholic Flexible Learning School in Alice Springs – in a move which could lead to an expansion of services in the Northern Territory.

“All of our schools exist to engage and educate young people who have become disenfranchised from more traditional approaches to education,” he said.

“We know that in the Northern Territory, there are many young people like this, and we would be very keen to support communities with our unique model of education.

Flexible Schools chief executive Dr Matt Hawkins and St Joseph’s principal Donna Hagen.

“St Joseph’s is a very special school community.”

Supported by Catholic Education Northern Territory, St Joseph's in Alice Springs is a “flexi school”, which takes a different approach to learning, principal Donna Hagen said.

“Our school caters for all young people in the Alice Springs area who require a more flexible education model,” she said.

“We have a program for young people in Years 7-12 and in these class groups, we offer ACARA-based curriculum activities which include on country learning and a culture

class for the young people in Years 7-9.

“The South Australian Certificate of Education (Modified) is offered to the young people who are in Years 10-12.”

There were currently 104 students enrolled, Ms Hagen said, with 21 staff employed – including a chef.

Looking forward, Ms Hagen said she wanted the community to know “we exist”.

“We are a small school that is here for all young people who need us.”

Originally published as Flexible Schools chief executive Matt Hawkins visits St Joseph’s in Alice Springs