Xavier Flexischools Network Review

Xavier Flexischools Network consists of five separately registered Non State Schools that provide a flexible and diverse curriculum to over 500 students aged between 12 and 20. Known as Flexible Learning Centres (FLC’s), the aim of the FLC’s is to meet the needs of young people who have disengaged from mainstream education. Through building relationships and celebrating the uniqueness of each student the program encourages students to re-engage with the education system.

Xavier Flexi Schools Network

• Mount Isa Flexible Learning Centre
• Townsville Flexible Learning Centre
• Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre
• Inala Flexible Learning Centre
• Centre Education Programme

The Centre Education Programme was initiated in 1987 followed by four Flexible Learning Centres in 2006. The arching Edmund Rice Education Australia was established in 2007. Xavier Flexi Schools Network is named after St Francis Xavier the patron Saint of the former Christian Brothers Queensland province in recognition of the contribution the Christian Brothers have made to address the needs of young people disenfranchised from education.

Xavier Flexischools Network Philosophy and Values

“The aim of the Flexible Learning Centres (FLC’s) is to respond to the complex needs of young people who have been marginalised from mainstream education. Each school achieves its aim by building honest and authentic relationships with young people and their families, supporting and celebrating the uniqueness and dignity of each individual young person. FLC’s provide holistic learning experiences that address the social needs of young people and promote their emotional, cognitive, spiritual and academic development. The purpose of the learning experiences is to empower young people to take personal responsibility for their actions and learning, achieve greater autonomy and self-reliance and to engage in the transition to further education and/or employment.

The services educational approach of flexible timetabling, smaller learning groups, strong staff/young people relationships and relevant curriculum enables the delivery of creative teaching responses to individual young people’s learning needs, incorporating their cultural and spiritual backgrounds.

Learning experiences are holistic and address the social and emotional needs of young people, promote well being, and develop cognitive and academic skills. Learning experiences are also linked to educational outcomes of state, territory and national curriculum frameworks in middle school and senior subjects in addition to nationally accredited vocational education and training courses.” (Source: Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth +)

Xavier Flexi Schools Network

There are four Flexible Learning Centres in Queensland: Mount Isa Flexible Learning Centre, Townsville Flexible Learning Centre, Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre, Inala Flexible Learning Centre as well as the Centre Education Programme. Each Centre offers a supportive learning experience for students.

Flexible Learning Centres offer numerous educational opportunities including:

• Literacy and Numeracy
• Vocational Educational and Training Course
• Practical hands-on experiences
• Community participation within key local services
• Life Skills
• Preparation for the future including Resume Writing, Interview Skills and Work Experience
• Support for young peoples’ health and wellbeing

Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre

Initially established as a part of the Edmund Rice Education, ‘It’s up to you’ Outreach Program, Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre (IFLC) operates a program that supports young people as they reengage in education. IFLC an accredited school within Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth+ and has been in its current location since 2012. By providing a safe and supportive environment, students are “empowered to develop autonomy in their own lives and take responsibility for their learning and educational goals.” (Source: Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth +). IFLC’s core principles are Respect, Honesty, Participation and Safe and Legal. The School has created a holistic learning environment that supports the social and emotional needs of students. By offering relevant education options student develop key academic skills that help them transition to further education and/or employment.

Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre is located at 1 Queen Victoria Parade, Ipswich, QLD. Find out more about the school at www.youthplus.edu.au or phone 0448 335 44

Inala Flexible Learning Centre

The Inala Flexible Learning Centre was initially established outreach program in partnership with Oxley District of the Queensland Police Service and Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth+. Building on the success of the program, Inala Flexible Learning Centre was recently accredited as a non-state school and offers an education pathway for students who do not wish to attend mainstream schools. The School provides a safe and supportive environment where students can focus on developing their literacy, numeracy, social and life skills.

Inala Flexible Learning Centre is located at 79 Poinsettia Street, Inala, QLD. Find out more about the school at www.youthplus.edu.au or phone 0407 895 247.

Mt Isa Flexible Learning Centre

Mt Isa Flexible Learning Centre (MFLC) is a coeducation Catholic school accredited within Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth+. By providing a holistic learning experience the school addresses the social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and academic needs of students. MFLC is committed to social justice and “stands in solidarity with disadvantaged people of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds with a particular sensitivity to Indigenous culture.” (Source: Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth +).

Mt Isa Flexible Learning Centre is located at 74 Abel Smith Parade, Mt Isa, QLD. Find out more about the school by phoning (07) 4743 5262.

Townsville Flexible Learning Centre

Townsville Flexible Learning Centre (TFLC) is a coeducation Catholic school accredited within Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth+. The Schools prepares students for further education and/or employment by focusing on participation and retention as will as the “development of moral reasoning through the application of the four principles (respect, safe and legal, participation and honesty). The centre has a clear commitment to social justice and stands in solidarity with disadvantaged people of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds.” (Source: Edmund Rice Education Australia – Youth +).

Townsville Flexible Learning Centre is located at 22-26 Ingham Road West End, Townsville, QLD. Find out more about the school by phoning (07) 4724 9600.

Enrolment at Xavier Flexi Schools Network

Students can enrol directly with each of the individual learning centres. Contact your nearest FLC for more information and an application pack.

Xavier Flexi Schools Network at a Glance

• Xavier Flexi Schools Network locations: Mount Isa Flexible Learning Centre, Townsville Flexible Learning Centre, Ipswich Flexible Learning Centre, Inala Flexible Learning Centre, Centre Education Programme
• Enrolment capacity: 500
• Grades: Year 11 & Year 12
• Co-educational
• School Chaplains and Student Welfare Workers
• Educational opportunities include: Literacy and Numeracy, Vocational Educational and Training Course, Practical hands-on experiences, Community participation within key local services, Life Skills, Preparation for the future including Resume Writing, Interview Skills and Work Experience, Support for young peoples’ health and well-being.

Why Choose Xavier Flexischools Network

One of the key features of Xavier Flexi Schools Network is the social inclusion and empowerment of students who would otherwise be disengaged from their education. Small class sizes and a flexible curriculum that focuses on individual interests and the needs of the students enables educators to engage students who have been marginalised from mainstream schools. By empowering young people to take personal responsibility for their actions and learning, they achieve greater autonomy and self-reliance and are able to better transition to further education and/or employment.

Find out more about Xavier Flexi Schools Network at www.youthplus.edu.au or phone (07) 3447 1009.