Around this time each year, my wife Anna would feel that familiar dread creeping in. As a young person, she'd brace herself for another year of school, hoping it would be better this time. It never really was.

School isn't for everyone.

Or more accurately, traditional schooling isn't for everyone. And that's not a failure – it's just a fact.

There are other options, though, and many East Gippsland families don't realise they exist. Anna is a late-diagnosed autistic person who masked her way through mainstream education. Knowing what that cost her – the exhaustion, the constant feeling of not fitting, the toll it took on her mental health – has shaped how we think about education for our own kids. Our kids are only in primary school, but through the families we support at ESports Collective – mostly teens and young adults – we've learned so much about the pathways that exist beyond mainstream. Knowing all these options makes us feel more confident about whatever lies ahead for our own family, because knowledge is power. Understanding what's possible means we can make informed choices rather than feeling stuck.

The Reality for Many Families

Since opening ESports Collective, we've met families where mainstream school hasn't been a good fit. We've had conversations with parents who carry a lot of worry about whether they're doing the right thing for their kids, watching them struggle in systems that just aren't working for them.

Some are already exploring different approaches – home schooling, Distance Ed, flexible arrangements. Others are just starting to realise there might be other ways forward, but don't know where to begin or feel overwhelmed by the options.

What strikes us most is how many of these young people light up when they're doing something they're genuinely interested in. The same kid who couldn't sit through a classroom lesson will spend hours learning game strategy, teaching peers, collaborating on projects. The abilities are there – they just need different environments to thrive.

Our own team reflects this diversity of educational pathways. Joel, one of our support workers, was homeschooled. Ellie, another support worker, completed her VCE at Gippsland TAFE before going on to earn her Diploma of Communications. These different pathways didn't limit their success – they helped them discover and build on their strengths.

Alternative Education Pathways in East Gippsland

If mainstream isn't working, here are some pathways worth exploring:

Smaller School Environments

We're lucky to live in a region where we have many smaller, satellite schools. We've met people from Clifton Creek, Nicholson, Eagle Point and Metung who have had really positive experiences in a small school environment.

Sometimes a quieter, more personalised setting with smaller class sizes can make all the difference. In these schools, students aren't lost in the crowd. Teachers know each student individually, and the pace can be adjusted to meet different learning needs.

What to consider:

• Class sizes are typically much smaller than larger regional schools

• More personalised attention from teachers

• Quieter, less overwhelming environment

• Strong sense of community

• May require travel from some areas

Distance Education & Virtual School

Virtual School Victoria (VSV) offers online learning for students across the state. Some families find this works beautifully – learning at your own pace, in your own space, without the sensory overwhelm of crowded classrooms.

BlendED is another virtual school option that offers fully online learning with live classes and flexible schedules. What makes BlendED different is that while students learn from home, they bring students together socially on Wednesdays. In East Gippsland, they have students between Orbost and Warragul in the East Gippsland group, and we've been lucky to host them at ESports Collective at times. It's a good middle ground between traditional school and home education – structured learning with social connection built in.

What to consider:

• Students need a quiet space at home for learning

• Requires reliable internet connection

• Students learn to manage their own time and workload

• Live online classes provide structure and teacher connection

• BlendED offers face-to-face social connection weekly

• Parents need to provide some oversight, especially for younger students

Homeschooling

In Victoria, you can register to homeschool through the VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority). Some families follow structured curriculums, others create their own approaches based on their child's interests.

The homeschooling community in Gippsland is growing, with co-ops, activity groups, and shared learning opportunities. This means your young person can still have social connections and learn alongside peers, just in a different setting.

Joel, one of our support workers, was homeschooled and has found that experience incredibly valuable in understanding different learning styles and building genuine connections with the young people we work with.

What to consider:

• Requires registration and annual reporting to VRQA

• Parent becomes primary educator (though can use tutors and programs)

• Highly flexible and can be tailored to your child's interests and learning style

• Growing local community for support and social activities

• Requires significant parental time commitment

• Can follow any curriculum or create your own approach

Part-Time Enrolment

Some families choose a hybrid approach – half homeschool, half traditional school. This can give young people the structure and social opportunities of school while allowing flexibility for learning at home in ways that work better for them.

This might look like attending school for certain subjects (perhaps PE, art, or specialist classes) while completing core academics at home, or attending school certain days of the week.

What to consider:

• Requires school agreement and cooperation

• Allows students to maintain some school friendships and routines

• Provides flexibility where needed while keeping some structure

• Not all schools offer this option – worth asking

• Needs clear communication between family and school

TAFE Pathways (Year 10 onwards)

Gippsland TAFE offers courses for students from Year 10 onwards. Many young people thrive in hands-on, practical learning environments where they're treated more like adults and can focus on areas that genuinely interest them.

TAFE offers a different learning environment – less like school, more like adult education. Students work on practical projects, build real-world skills, and often find this approach much more engaging than traditional classroom learning.

Ellie, one of our support workers, completed her VCE at Gippsland TAFE. She's since graduated with her Diploma of Communications and is now pursuing her Certificate III in Disability & Age Care. The TAFE pathway allowed her to focus on her interests and build practical skills that have directly translated into her professional work.

What to consider:

• Available from Year 10 onwards

• More adult learning environment

• Focus on practical, hands-on skills

• Can lead directly to certificates and qualifications

• Often includes work placement components

• Wide range of courses available

Vocational Major (VM) & Trade Pathways

VM (Vocational Major) is a hands-on senior secondary pathway offered at many local schools. It focuses on practical work-related skills alongside literacy and numeracy. For young people who learn best by doing, this can be a much better fit than traditional VCE.

You can also explore apprenticeships and traineeships – starting while still at school through school-based apprenticeships, or transitioning into a trade after Year 10. Many young people who struggled in traditional classrooms find purpose and success working with their hands, seeing tangible results, and earning while they learn.

What to consider:

• Available at most local secondary schools

• Combines practical work skills with academic learning

• Leads to VCE VM certificate (equivalent to VCE)

• Can include work placements and industry connections

• School-based apprenticeships allow students to start trade training while completing school

• Earn while you learn in apprenticeships

The Big Picture @ Nagle College

An alternative program that focuses on personalised learning through real-world projects and internships. Students work closely with advisors to pursue their interests while meeting curriculum requirements.

This program recognises that not everyone learns best in traditional classroom settings and creates individualised pathways based on student interests and goals.

What to consider:

• Located at Nagle College in Bairnsdale

• Personalised learning plans

• Real-world project focus

• Community internships and partnerships

• Close advisor relationships

• Still meets Victorian curriculum requirements

School-Share Arrangements

Some young people split their time between a mainstream school and a specialist school. This can work well for students who need specific support but also benefit from mainstream inclusion for certain subjects or activities.

What to consider:

• Requires coordination between two schools

• Allows access to specialist support while maintaining mainstream connections

• Not widely available – depends on local school agreements

• Can provide best of both environments

Community-Based Learning & Social Connection

This is where ESports Collective comes in. Whatever educational pathway you choose, young people still need places to connect with peers who share their interests.

Our social programs – like our Thursday After School D&D sessions, Social Gaming Sessions, and tournaments – create spaces where young people build genuine friendships through shared interests.

We've watched young people who struggle with traditional social settings thrive when they're collaborating on a D&D campaign, working together in team games, or teaching each other strategies. These aren't structured learning programs – they're just places where young people can be themselves, make friends, and discover that their interests and the way they think aren't problems to overcome.

Whether you're homeschooled, doing Distance Ed, or still navigating mainstream – there's space for you here.

Finding What Works for Your Family

Every young person is different. What works for one won't work for another. But there are options, and sometimes just knowing that can make the road ahead feel a little lighter.

Some families try multiple approaches before finding the right fit. Some combine different options. Some change approaches as their young person grows and their needs change. All of that is okay.

The most important thing is finding an approach that:

• Allows your young person to learn and grow

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Builds on their strengths and interests

• Creates opportunities for genuine social connection

• Supports their mental health and wellbeing

You're Not Alone

If mainstream school in East Gippsland hasn't been kind to your young person, if you're dreading another year of the same struggles, know that you're not alone. And know that there are other ways forward.

The conversation about alternative education is growing. More families are recognising that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to learning. More schools and organisations are creating flexible options. More communities are supporting different pathways.

You're not giving up on your child's education by exploring alternatives. You're advocating for them. You're recognising their unique needs and strengths. You're finding an approach that works for them, not trying to force them into an approach that doesn't.

Let's Talk

If you've got questions about alternative pathways or how our programs might support your family's journey, we're always happy to chat. No sales pitch – just parent to parent, community member to community member.

You can reach us at ESports Collective:

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 0499 330 836

• Location: 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale

Sometimes just talking through the options with someone who understands can help clarify what might work for your family. We're here for those conversations.