At her previous school, Harley struggled to stay engaged.
“My attendance was really bad,” she says. “I was never going to school. I think my attendance the overall year was 25 per cent.”
The environment just didn’t click with her and how she liked to learn.
“It was an okay school – it just wasn’t lively,” she says. “It was just work constantly and you never had time for yourself.”
Harley’s experience highlights a wider issue: almost half of Australian students in Years 3–12 report feeling disconnected from their schooling.
But everything changed when Harley heard about a Youth Off The Streets independent high school.
“My older cousin went to this school,” she says. “My family had gone to this school and they had a really good outcome from it and then they recommended it.”
“I guess I just looked into it more and now I’m here,” she says.
Now, in Year 10, having started at Key College – Chapel School Campus in Year 9, Harley has found a learning environment that truly supports her growth.
“I think what stands out to me is we go out a lot and I find that really helps with learning things that would actually be useful in our everyday life,” she says.
For Harley, the school’s hands-on, real-world approach to education has made all the difference.
“We have our RTO classes, which help us with jobs, and we can work towards our driver’s licence through school,” she says.
Youth Off The Streets is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO Code 41450) that delivers nationally accredited VET courses for young people who attend its schools and access its services. In 2024, 116 students enrolled in vocational training through Youth Off The Streets’ RTO.
Alongside vocational training, students also have the chance to explore their passions through a personal interest class – a space designed to nurture creativity, individuality and self-directed learning.
“I feel like it’s an amazing opportunity,” says Harley, whose personal interest is music.
“I do drumming and I’ve recently also gotten a scholarship that the manager of the school helped me apply for.”
That scholarship is the Sony Star Scholarship – a collaboration between the Sony Foundation and Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) – which offers mentorship and online lessons during a free six-month program.
“Thousands of people nationwide applied for it,” says Harley. “Out of those people, they picked the top twenty. Then we had a phone interview and from that they selected the top ten. It was kind of like a process of elimination.”
Harley’s success isn’t just about academics or music – it’s also about the people who’ve supported her along the way.
“The youth workers do a lot for the school,” she says. “I feel like they’re a really big part.”
Looking ahead, Harley’s dreams for the future are as vibrant as her present.
“I really want to get into veterinary work when I’m older,” she shares. “Something I’ve done here is a two-week work experience at an exotic vet. That was really fun and now I have that on my resume.”
With renewed confidence and a strong support system, Harley is optimistic about what’s next.
“I have pretty high hopes for my future plans.”
A different kind of education
Youth Off The Streets operates six accredited and independent high schools, offering an alternative for young people in Years 9–12 who have disconnected from mainstream education or are at risk of disengaging.
Our high schools comply with the Australian curriculum and the NSW Education Standards Authority. They’re designed to meet young people where they’re at – providing tailored learning plans, wellbeing support and opportunities to build confidence both inside and outside the classroom.
Their success reflects a nationwide trend towards independent schools, with enrolments in these schools far outpacing their government and Catholic counterparts.
In 2024, 256 young people were supported across Youth Off The Streets’ independent high schools. Our education model blends academic learning with practical life skills, vocational training and personal development – giving students like Harley the tools to succeed on their own terms.
With support from teachers and youth workers, Harley has reconnected with education and is actively shaping her future. Her story is one of many that show how the right environment can unlock potential and restore hope.
*Name changed to protect the privacy of the young person
