Finding a Supportive High School in Sydney Where She Belongs – Alexia’s Story
Alexia has always wanted to do her best at school. She wanted to attend. She wanted to learn. She wanted to be part of her school community.
But by Year 8, the academic workload and social environment of mainstream high school were becoming increasingly difficult for her to manage. Alexia was feeling overwhelmed, struggling socially and experiencing panic attacks during some of the subjects she found most difficult.
For her Mother, Cindy, this raised an important question:
What if Alexia didn’t need to try harder to fit into school? What if she needed a school environment that fitted her better?
Today, Cindy describes a teenager who is happier going to school, more comfortable asking for help, building friendships, growing in confidence and beginning to think about what she might do after Year 12.
For Cindy, the biggest difference Gateway Community High has made is simple:
“Alexia is happy to go to school and comes home happy too. She feels understood and accepted, and it has been wonderful to see her confidence grow and how excited she is to go to school every day.”
Gateway Community High is an independent Special Assistance School in Carlingford, Sydney, offering a supportive alternative to mainstream high school for students in Years 9–12. With small classes, personalised learning and a focus on wellbeing, Gateway helps young people reconnect with education and work towards their goals.
Finding a Supportive High School in Sydney
Cindy first heard about Gateway Community High through her friend Belinda, who had worked in the Gateway office since the school opened.
After hearing about some of the challenges Alexia was experiencing, Belinda encouraged Cindy to attend a Gateway Enrolment Information Session.
Changing schools, however, was not something Alexia immediately wanted.
What helped her begin to see Gateway differently were some very practical differences: shorter school days, no traditional school uniform and less pressure from homework and assignment deadlines after the school day.
It wasn't about Alexia wanting to do less.
It was about creating more space for her to learn without feeling constantly overwhelmed.
When Mainstream School Isn’t the Right Fit: Finding a Supportive High School
The difference Cindy noticed early was not an academic milestone.
It was how Alexia felt about school.
She was less anxious and worried about going each day and quickly developed positive relationships with her teachers.
For Cindy (Alexia's mother), several aspects of Gateway have made a difference.
The smaller learning environment has helped Alexia feel comfortable enough to ask questions when she doesn't understand something and seek additional support when she needs it.
Gateway’s compressed curriculum has also reduced some of the pressures Alexia experienced previously, while still allowing her to continue working towards her education.
And the structure of the school day means that when Alexia goes home, she does not face the same pressure of homework and assignments after what may already have been a demanding day.
But one of the most important differences is that Alexia has room to be Alexia.
Music and singing are a big part of who she is. At Gateway, opportunities to follow those interests have become part of her school experience. Cindy says singing and karaoke afternoons are particular favourites.
For a young person who had previously found parts of school overwhelming, having opportunities to participate in something she genuinely enjoys has helped make school a place associated with more than academic pressure.
The parents have also valued the communication between Gateway and home. She says teachers and support staff keep her informed about both Alexia’s learning and emotional wellbeing, giving her confidence that the people working with her daughter genuinely care about how she is progressing.
How a Supportive High School Helped Alexia Feel Accepted and Confident
Some of the changes Cindy is proudest of have happened through experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom learning.
Through Gateway’s wellbeing activities, Alexia has taken part in volunteering at the local primary school and retirement village, as well as cooking for OzHarvest.
These experiences have introduced a new conversation at home:
What could Alexia's strengths and interests become in the future?
Cindy says Alexia has matured through these experiences and has started thinking about how she might use her skills to find work in the future. For Alexia's parents, that emerging sense of possibility is significant.
Looking towards Year 12 — and beyond
Alexia’s mother now feels much more positive about her daughter's future.
Not because every challenge has disappeared, but because Alexia has a school environment where she feels safe and welcome while continuing her education towards adulthood.
Cindy knows that Alexia can continue to be supported as she explores her work goals in the lead-up to completing Year 12.
There is a meaningful difference between simply getting through school and having the opportunity to grow through school.
For Alexia, that growth can be seen in her confidence to ask a question, the friendships she is beginning to form, the experiences she is willing to try and the future she is starting to consider.
For another parent wondering whether mainstream school is still the right environment for their teenager, Cindy encourages them to start by listening.
“Listen to how your child is feeling. If the idea of school is making them feel anxious, sick or miserable, it’s worth investigating what other options there are outside of mainstream school.”
Changing schools does not have to mean giving up on education.
For some young people, it can mean finding a different way to access it.
For Alexia, finding that environment has meant something wonderfully simple:
She is happy to go to school - and happy when she comes home.
Our team is grateful to Cindy and Alexia for sharing their experience and allowing us to tell their story.
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