I am writing as a concerned local parent and community member from East Gippsland to advocate for the establishment of a flexible learning school in the Bairnsdale region.

Many children and young people in our community are unable to attend or engage successfully with mainstream schooling due to a range of complex needs  including trauma, mental health challenges, neurodiversity, and disrupted education histories. Unfortunately, there are very limited local options for alternative or flexible education in East Gippsland.

Families are currently forced to travel long distances or rely on unsuitable programs that don’t provide the individualised support these students require. This leaves many children disengaged from education entirely, which has lifelong impacts on their wellbeing, confidence, and future opportunities.

I strongly believe our community would benefit from a Flexible Learning Centre (similar to those operating successfully in other regions such as Sale, Morwell, and Wonthaggi). These schools provide smaller class sizes, trauma-informed teaching, wellbeing supports, and pathways back into education or training.

Please consider initiating a review or consultation process to explore the feasibility of establishing a flexible learning school in the East Gippsland area. I would be grateful for your support in advocating for this much-needed service for our young people.

Please sign this petition to advocate for flexible learning programs in our schools and help create an inclusive, adaptive, and supportive educational system for all children.