Byron Community Campus

Vision Statement: Byron Community Campus provides a high quality public educational option for young people who would benefit from a flexible community learning environment

National governments for some years have been developing education and training reforms towards a broader based community approach to education for young people who are not benefiting from traditional, formal education.

In 2001, the Dusseldorp Skills Youth Forum called for a community approach in finding educational solutions for young people who had left school as early as l5 years, or in some cases as early as 12 years, whose future education and employment prospects would be jeopardized because of lack of educational qualifications.

As a response, Byron Youth Service in association with Byron Shire Council (BSC) called a range of community sectors together during 2003 to work at finding solutions for these young people to enable them to formulate and successfully pursue their goals. Representatives from the Byron Youth Service, BSC, local high schools, NSW Dept of Education & Training, North Coast Institute of TAFE, BS Adult Community Education, Southern Cross Distance Education Centre, DESTination North, the Arakwal community, the Byron business community, together with young people themselves, have since been meeting to work out strategies which support the Shire’s Youth Commitment and give young people positive and empathic support in meeting their aspirations.

During 2006, a working group of representatives from the above sectors has developed a “flexi-school” approach to meet the education and training needs of young people who would benefit from the provision of a flexible community learning environment. By the end of the year, the working group had finalised the practical details of establishing the program for 12-19 year olds to be held at Byron Youth Centre. Over 5 days, the program caters two days each week for under-15’s and over-15’s, with a third day combining both groups. To reflect the cooperative and inclusive nature of the program, it has been named Byron Community Campus (BCC).

A BCC Management Group has been formed to oversee the successful development, implementation and evaluation of the working group’s strategic plan. It is hoped to extend this innovative and creative program to young people aged from 19-24 years within two years.

Contact Paul on 6685 7777 or info@ATbys.org.au