Aims and Philosophy

Deception Bay Flexible School is part of Edmund Rice Education Australia, a national network of schools committed to social justice, inclusion, and educational opportunity. Founded in 2006, the school was established to meet the educational, social and emotional needs of young people who may have experienced barriers to success in traditional schooling settings, providing a supportive and flexible pathway for learning and growth.
Deception Bay Flexible School is co-educational and invites secondary school age young people (Yrs 7-12) into a community that encourages and nurtures strong, healthy life-giving relationships that support lifelong learning.

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, Deception Bay Flexible School embraces a Charter which upholds four distinctive touchstones. They are;

  • Liberating Education
  • Inclusive Community
  • Justice and Solidarity
  • Gospel Spirituality

These touchstones, an authentic expression of the spirit of Edmund Rice founder of the Christian Brothers, underpin its educational endeavour.

At Deception Bay Flexible School, social justice is at the heart of our work. We stand alongside young people from all social, cultural, and religious backgrounds, particularly those who have experienced disadvantage or marginalisation. This philosophy reflects the aspirations and principles of the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration.

This philosophy also has a practical focus, based in the application of four core principles. They are:

  • Respect (for self, others and the environment)
  • Safe and Legal environment
  • Participation (have a go) 
  • Honesty (being fair dinkum)

These principles apply to all members of the Deception Bay Flexible School community and shape the organisational culture and practices. The principles also seek to establish a “common ground” among staff, students and parents.

This creates a collective forum, where the means to resolve conflict, negotiate learning, recognise rights, responsibilities and consequences are modelled and explored, both within the group, and individually and as members of the broader community.