Around this time each year, plenty of young people feel that familiar dread creeping in, bracing themselves for another year of school and hoping it will be better this time. For a lot of them, it never really is.
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. Within our own team we have lived experience of masking through mainstream education, and knowing what that can cost a person, the exhaustion, the constant feeling of not fitting, the toll it takes on mental health, has shaped how we think about education. 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. Understanding what's possible means families can make informed choices rather than feeling stuck, because knowledge is power.
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 with 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. Students aren't lost in the crowd, teachers know each student individually, and the pace can be adjusted to meet different learning needs.
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 offering 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, 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.
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, so 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.
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. It 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. Not all schools offer this, so it's worth asking.
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. It's less like school, more like adult education, with practical projects and real-world skills.
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.
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.
The Big Picture @ Nagle College
The Big Picture @ Nagle College is an alternative program in Bairnsdale that focuses on personalised learning through real-world projects and internships. Students work closely with advisors to pursue their interests while still meeting 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. It's not widely available and depends on local school agreements, but it can provide the 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 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. 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, and 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. You're not giving up on your child's education by exploring alternatives, you're advocating for them.
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 hello@esportscollective.com.au, on 0499 330 836, or at 58 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale.