Saints College opens its arms to students who don’t fit into mainstream education

Saints College in North Melbourne wants young people to feel liberated to learn, and its unique approach is giving students who don’t fit into mainstream education a second chance.

When Saph was 14 years old, she was facing more challenges than most teenagers would at her age.

While her classmates were focusing on school, friendship and sports, she was battling a difficult home life and an addiction.

“Mainstream school just wasn’t an option for me,” she said. “Uniforms and canteen food was expensive, and it’s messed up because if you come from a home where there’s no food, no one is going to help you out and it sucks.”

Saph had almost given up on her education when a youth worker came to her rescue.

“His name was Peter, and he told me about this school,” she said.

“There was free food, you could call the teachers by their first names and could wear whatever you wanted.

“You don’t have to fit in, you don’t have to take your piercings out or dye your hair to a (normal) colour. You don’t have to fit into a stereotype and you can finally be free.”

Saph’s saving grace was St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre – soon to be called Saints College – in North Melbourne.

Saints College in North Melbourne is an inclusive, supportive school for 12-25 year olds looking for an alternative to mainstream education. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Sunday Herald Sun visited the college’s inaugural campus on Queensberry St – its red-brick facade a prominent feature among neighbouring apartment blocks.

But it’s what is offered within the building’s classrooms and halls that are of most value to the 300 students enrolled at the school.

Young people aged between 12 and 25 of all abilities, backgrounds and identities are welcome at Saints College, which aims to provide education for children and young people disenfranchised from mainstream education.

This could be because of mental health issues, unstable home environments or involvement in the justice system.

Uniforms don’t exist, students don’t have to pay school fees and breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and even take-home meal packs are supplied by experienced chefs who cook on campus.

The school also provides its students with laptops and other equipment they may need to excel at school.

While the Edmund Rice Education Australia school provides the same curriculum, learning outcomes and opportunities for its young people as its mainstream counterparts, executive principal Chloe Hand said Saints College’s point of difference was it offered individualised programs to help students overcome learning barriers.

“Saints College aims to remove all barriers young people may face to engage in education,” she said.

Learning barriers may include poor mental health, disengagement from the classroom, substance abuse, school “can’t” – also known as school refusal – financial difficulties, unstable home environments and behavioural challenges.

“The school does not have any fees, or any costs for books, excursions or VET programs, and young people are provided a MYKI so they can easily access school via public transport.” Ms Hand said.

Alessandro is a student at Saints College in North Melbourne. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Director of Schools, Michael Crowe, added the college advocated for young people to experience liberation in their own learning and is driven by its “Operation by Principles” framework, which includes the values “respect, honesty, participation and safe and legal”.

“These principles shape our trauma-informed practice framework that respects dignity, encourages engagement, and fosters healthy relationships,” he said.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for most Saints College students, not only so they can satisfy their hunger but also so they can clear their mind.

“The day usually begins with a communal breakfast and circle time, where young people and staff come together, fostering a sense of belonging and community,” campus principal Lisa Burgess said.

“This is followed by personalised learning sessions that cater to individual interests and academic goals.”

Ms Burgess said teachers and students sharing a meal was a fundamental part of Saints College’s culture.

“It’s more than just providing nourishment, it’s about creating a sense of community and connection,” she said.

“It also fosters a sense of equality and mutual respect, reinforcing the inclusive and supportive atmosphere that defines Saints College.”

Meanwhile, the college’s small class sizes and flexible curriculum also allows educators to give each student the support they need, with a typical day comprising of a mix of academic learning, vocational training and wellbeing activities.

“We place a strong emphasis on holistic development, addressing not only cognitive skills but also the social and emotional wellbeing of young people,” Ms Burgess said.

“It is incredibly fulfilling to see young people who have struggled in mainstream education begin to thrive in our supportive environment.”

Breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and even take-home packs are supplied by experienced chefs who cook on campus. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Marley, 18, admitted he was one student who “used to not be a very good kid” while attending a mainstream school.

“I used to have trouble sitting down, being quiet and content, and sometimes I got a little discombobulated,” he said.

“But (after starting at Saints College four years ago) I can now learn, sit still for a good period of time and actually focus on what I need to do.”

Marley’s goal is to open a small milk bar business at the school where he can sell “diet coke, Zappos, Kit Kats and Maltesers”.

“At (Saints College) I am surrounded by good people who want to make a difference and it’s really positively impacted me as a person,” he said.

The college is not about ATARs. Instead it offers tailored learning pathways and vocational education and training (VET) to its young people.

“Saints College empowers young people through personalised educational programs that are centred around the Victorian Curriculum, the Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major, Victorian Pathways Certificate and VET,” Ms Hand said.

Thanks to these opportunities and her determination, 16-year-old school captain Saph will graduate school at the end of the year, before pursuing a Certificate IV in Community Services at RMIT.

“I also had an interview with the University of Melbourne and they’re offering me a scholarship for my Bachelor of Social Work which is really exciting,” she said.

In addition to its personalised education programs, Saints College offers outreach educational opportunities, an extensive excursion program, a young parents program and outdoor education.

Sharing a meal with teachers is prominent part of the Saints College culture. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

BlendED is another option for students who want to access quality education in a virtual setting while receiving extensive in-person support at the school.

The program was developed following the Covid-19 lockdowns and provides 20 hours of classes online each week as well as one-on-one teacher time and individualised modules.

Mr Crowe described BlendED as an “innovative educational approach” that’s bringing positive transformation to the teaching landscape.

“Through BlendED we want to ensure all young people have access to education, which it is their right to do so, and we are working together on supporting young people to build the capacity and the tools to engage more broadly in the community,” he said.

Photography enthusiast Jorden is one Saints College student taking advantage of the school’s flexibility, and sometimes opts to study from home.

The 16-year-old moved to the school in 2021 after struggling as a year seven student in mainstream education.

“I was doing horrible, the teachers were complete pieces of work, so once I heard about this school, I thought I’d give it a go,” he said.

“I loved it instantly because the teachers work with you and you work at your own pace. There’s no ‘you can’t wear headphones, get off your phone’, and they’ll give you work at your own level.”

Jorden said he also appreciated the tools the school provided students with, free of charge.

“(The teachers) help you in areas they see you’re excelling in,” he said.

“For example, I’m excelling in music so they leased me a MacBook, and in photography they leased me a camera and bought me gear, so they help with areas you’re excelling in and even more in areas you’re not.”

The school provides laptops to its students, including Marley, who is planning to open a small business on campus. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Bol, 15, is another student who recently moved to the North Melbourne campus, and aid it was the best decision he had made.

“I was depressed, but when I came to this school the teachers helped me meet new friends, learn more and get back (into school). Now I’ve developed speaking to people and friends,” he said.

“The school brings joy and happiness to me. Everyday I wake up wanting to come to this school knowing it’s going to be great.”

It’s not just metropolitan Melbourne that has access to Saints College’s holistic approach to learning, with campuses also situated in Geelong, Colac and Ballarat, in addition to BlendED.

“Each campus ranges around 60 to 450 students, though this can vary depending on the specific location and its capacity,” Mr Crowe said.

“The college is also supported by a dedicated team of 240 exceptional staff members.”

The Sunday Herald Sun can also reveal the school is refreshing its logo in line with its official name change to Saints College next year.

“This change reflects our ongoing commitment to evolving and growing while staying true to our core values and missions,” Ms Hall said.

“Our new name, Saints College, reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering our community and supporting the holistic development of our young people.”

As for those students who are on the brink of quitting school, or are struggling to prioritise their education over their own personal challenges, Saph has shared her words of advice.

“If you’re in a mainstream school right now and you just can’t do it – you’re not going to school, you’re not motivated, your mental health is suffering, you have problems at home – Saints College is for you,” she said.

“This school will change your life. You will meet people just like you who have been through the same stuff as you, you will be around teachers and staff who genuinely understand your situation and will be flexible with you – there is no such thing as detention or being expelled.

“You shouldn’t be punished for having bad mental health and you shouldn’t be punished for not fitting into a stereotype.

“The school is a lifesaver. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. My advice is move to this college as soon as possible.”

For more information on Saints College’s campuses and BlendED, visit the school’s website – stjosephs.vic.edu.au