Compass Catholic Community

A Vision for alternative education within an education community

There’s an incredible amount of goodwill for the vision, and everyone is super supportive. I can picture a thriving community of – a safe place where people come, where you leave and come back to, where we celebrate you, where you can come and serve later. So, all of that. And especially as the village grows and there’s more opportunity with different things.” (Headof Village, Kelly Bunyon)

Compass Catholic Community arose out of discussions within Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) for an educational provision in one of the more disadvantaged council areas in South Australia. Initial discussions were under the title “Vision for the North” developing the concept of an educational village encompassing different levels of education.

Compass Catholic Community College is the first part of the village catering for young people from 17 to 24 years who wish to reengage with education and community. CESA was clear that Compass would be an integral part of the educational provision in the North.

The Flinders University research team are working with Compass and schools in the surrounding suburbs with a history of innovation and change. These schools are participating in a collaborative practitioner research to create a community of support for Compass that enhances the development of a curriculum and pedagogical framework grounded in appreciative inquiry. Kelly was appointed at the beginning of 2021 with Compass scheduled to open in 2022. Work on the development of the curriculum and pedagogical framework, community connections and the broader operation of the school is occurring alongside the building works.

“There’s been a vision for a new school but now there is a face to that vision - it’ll be relational, and community based and inclusive … this is a place-based solution, a place where we say, “This is yours, you make it yours.”