Free lunches, flexible lessons and no classrooms – discover how this groundbreaking Adelaide school is reimagining education.
Open an unassuming door down a quiet side street in Adelaide’s CBD and you’ll step into the Specialised Assistance School for Youth – or simply SASY.
There are no classrooms, no uniforms, and certainly no bells. Instead, you’ll find students grabbing free lunches at the cool AF café, hitting the gym, or relaxing in comfy nooks with laptops.
It looks like a funky coworking space – and that’s exactly the point.
“SASY is designed for young people who’ve become disengaged from traditional education,” explains Nicholas Pellegrini (Nic), co-founder and Head of Operations.
“We really listen to each student, understand what they need, and support their individual journeys.”
Welcome to school, reimagined.
Charlotte’s story: From struggle to success
Charlotte didn’t find mainstream school easy. “I struggled a lot mentally and was bullied,” she says frankly.
But at SASY, she discovered a completely different approach – one that has changed everything.
“SASY has been the best decision I’ve made,” she says. “I learn at my own pace and get all the support I need. Assignments have very flexible due dates, so there’s much less stress.”
“It’s a good school. It takes time to adjust because it’s so different – but it’s worth it. Everyone here genuinely cares.”
Charlotte is now confidently working towards a Certificate III in Personal Training. “When I finish, I can start my own business or work at a gym,” she says. “It’s exactly what I want to do.”
How it all began: A youth worker’s vision
Nine years ago, Nic, originally a youth worker, co-founded the non-profit SASY after noticing a critical gap in education.
“Young people who fall through the cracks – who’s there to catch them?” Nic asks. “We wanted to be that place, doing things differently and genuinely listening to what young people want and need.”
“We wanted to create a space that students actually want to come to every day – and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
Nic’s innovative approach earned him recognition as one of South Australia’s prestigious 40 Under 40 awardees in 2024.
Flexible rhythms, not rigid timetables
At SASY, traditional timetables are replaced with flexible daily ‘Rhythms’. Students choose activities based on their mood and energy levels each day, and learn at their own pace.
“If a student usually attends an active session but doesn’t have the capacity that day, they can opt for wellbeing support or just take a break,” Nic says. “It’s all about meeting students exactly where they are.”
“If I’m feeling up to it, I’ll work on my certificate,” Charlotte says. “But if not, there’s no pressure – I can take it easy.”
Mental health matters
Central to SASY’s approach is trauma-informed care. Students can step out of sessions anytime they feel overwhelmed – and there’s always someone on hand to listen if they need to talk it out.
At SASY, there’s roughly one staff member (teacher or youth worker) for every five or six students, ensuring personalised attention.
Nic shares a telling example: “A student storming out of class when angry can often be seen as a problem. We see the positive in this – they recognise their emotional state, take space to regulate, and return when they’re ready. Here, it’s about understanding and support rather than punishment.”
Innovative programs, not classrooms
At SASY, you won’t find students stuck in traditional classrooms.
Instead, learning happens through creative, hands-on “Programs” that weave multiple subjects together in meaningful ways.
Students still complete the school curriculum, but it’s by engaging in cool projects like designing drag costumes from recycled materials, planning skate parks, producing clay animation movies, figuring out how they’d survive a zombie apocalypse, or even creating their own podcasts and webpages.
Through these Programs, they’re developing critical life skills like collaboration, resilience, and creativity – without ever sitting at a desk.
Students also regularly get out and about, through free excursions that involve everything from horse riding and bouldering to climbing the roof of Adelaide Oval and interactive Adelaide Fringe shows.
Pathways for every student
Success at SASY isn’t measured only by academic outcomes, although 2024 saw a record 19 students graduate with their SACE.
Nic emphasises that “success could also mean achieving a TAFE qualification, starting an apprenticeship, or even returning to mainstream school”.
Uniquely, SASY caters to students aged 13-25 across years 8-12.
Empowering student voices
Student empowerment is at the heart of SASY.
Charlotte herself initiated the school’s first Community Activity Day (CAD) – a fresh, inclusive spin on traditional sports days.
“We didn’t have a sports day, so I created a petition,” she explains.
Held at Thorndon Park, the event featured both sporting and non-sporting activities to ensure everyone felt included. “It went really well,” she adds – so well that CAD is set to become an annual tradition.
Charlotte also actively contributes to the Young Person Voice Group, meeting regularly to discuss ways the school can improve.
“Staff genuinely listen and make things happen,” she says.
A safe haven – even during the holidays
SASY stays open during holidays – not as regular school, but simply as a safe space for students to hang out or talk to a youth worker if they need to.
“When we first started, we didn’t open during the holidays,” Nic recalls. “But a nearby café owner told me students were waiting outside during holidays, hoping someone would open up.”
“That showed how important this place is – it’s somewhere students genuinely want to be.”
SASY is growing!
With over 200 students already enrolled, SASY’s unique model is clearly working.
A second campus opens next January in Thebarton specifically for middle school students (years 7-10), while senior students remain at the original CBD campus.
“We don’t want growth to compromise intimacy and community,” Nic says. “The new campus lets us reach more young people while maintaining what makes SASY special.”
SASY receives funding from the South Australian and federal governments, which is crucial for providing programs and additional assistance to students, supporting their engagement, learning and connection with the community.
Philanthropic contributions also help support the school’s innovative approach.
Want to know more about SASY? Find out here.
