Enrol at Novo Education

At Novo, we understand that the path to learning looks different for everyone. If you’re ready to take a fresh step toward your future, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

How to apply
Tour

Book a tour to visit a campus, meet the team, and see if Novo feels like the right fit for you.

Form

After the tour, we’ll give you an application pack to complete with a parent, carer, or support person.

Interview

We’ll invite you to a friendly interview to talk about your goals and how Novo can support your learning. You can bring a trusted adult (like a parent or carer) with you.

Offer

If Novo is the right match, we’ll offer you a place and guide you through getting started.

Please note: an interview is not a guarantee of enrolment. We’re looking for students who are ready to engage, follow expectations, and build a positive future.

Thinking about Novo?

Maybe school hasn’t felt like the right fit. You might’ve felt isolated, unsure about your learning, or not supported in the way you need.

At Novo Education Space, we’re here for students who are ready to take a different path — one that’s built around your needs, strengths, and goals. In our small, supportive environment, we’ll help you reconnect with learning, build confidence, and plan for your future.

Eligibility & assessment

Novo Education is a registered Special Assistance School, funded to support young people facing significant barriers to education, especially those with social, emotional, or behavioural challenges. We help students who haven’t thrived in mainstream schools by providing a smaller, trauma-aware, and highly personalised environment.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be in Years 9 to 12
  • Have experienced challenges that impact their ability to engage in education, such as:
    • Mental health or social-emotional difficulties
    • Learning or behavioural challenges
    • Financial hardship or social disadvantage
    • Language, literacy, or communication difficulties
    • Disability (intellectual or physical)
    • Cultural or community barriers, including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We assess each student individually, considering referrals, school history, support needs, and other relevant information. This may involve speaking with families, caregivers, schools, and community services.

As Novo is funded to support students with additional needs, it is not open to those without them.

Places are limited

When demand is high, priority is given to students who:

  • Are willing to attend regularly
  • Show commitment to their learning and development
  • Are ready to take responsibility for their behaviour and choices
  • Can participate respectfully in our learning environment

We work in partnership with students, families, and community supports to plan for success — academically, socially, and emotionally.

What to expect
in an interview

Our enrolment interview is a relaxed chat to help us understand you and your journey. We’ll talk about:

  • Your learning experiences so far
  • Your goals and how Novo can help
  • What you expect from Novo, and what we expect from you

Bring a parent, carer, or trusted adult with you — and any reports or documents that might help us understand your needs.

Key Dates & Term Info

Novo Education Space follows the NSW school term calendar, with some adjustments for professional development days and special events. Here’s a quick overview of key dates for the school year:

2025 Term Dates
  • Term 1: Friday 31st January 2025) (students return on Monday 3rd February 2025)  – Friday 11th April 2025
  • Term 2: Monday 28th April 2025 (students return on Wednesday 30th April 2025) – Friday 4th July 2025
  • Term 3: 21st July 2025 (students return on 22nd July) – Friday 26th September
  • Term 4: Monday 13th October (students return on 14th October) – Wednesday 10th December
Important Dates
  • Student-free days / Staff Development Days: 28th and 29th January 2025, Friday 11th April 2025, 28th and 29th April 2025, 21st July 2025, Monday 13th September
  • Public holidays (no school): Usual ones
  • Special events: Whole school end of year celebration Wednesday 10th December 2025
Our Daily Schedule
  • Breakfast Club: From 9:00am, our Wellbeing team provides breakfast free of charge for any student who needs a little extra to start their day.
  • School Day Starts: 9:30am with Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) morning circles in mentor groups.
  • Learning Block 1: 10:15am – 11:00am
  • Long Break: 11:00am – 11:35am
  • Learning Block 2: 11:40am – 12:50pm
  • Short Break: 12:50pm – 1:05pm
  • Learning Block 3: 1:10pm – 2:20pm
  • Afternoon Circles: 2:30pm
Friday Schedule

On Fridays, the day finishes early at 12:30pm, with only two learning blocks.

Download our Key Dates Calendar here for more details, or contact us with any questions.

Frequently asked questions
Who can apply to Novo Education Space?

Novo is for students in Years 9 to 12 who need a different learning environment to succeed. We welcome students who are willing to take part in their learning, follow school expectations, and work towards a positive future.

Is there a cost to attend Novo?

Novo Education Space is a special assistance school and a registered charity. We don’t charge tuition fees because we believe every student deserves access to education, no matter their circumstances.

While there’s no cost to attend, if families are in a position to make a tax deductible donation or support Novo in other ways, we’d never say no! Every contribution helps us continue our work with young people.

How do I apply?

Start by booking a tour of our school. After the tour, we’ll give you an application pack. Once you’ve completed this, we’ll invite you and a support person to meet with us for a conversation. We’ll talk about your goals, and how Novo can help you.

Do I need to bring anything to the interview?

It’s a good idea to bring a trusted adult (like a parent or carer) with you. If you have any school reports, assessments, or other information that might help us understand your needs, bring those too.

How long does the enrolment process take?

The process depends on how quickly you complete the application and forms. Once we meet with you, we’ll let you know the next steps. Our team will keep in touch with you during the process.

What happens if I’m not sure Novo is the right fit for me?

That’s okay! The tour and interview are designed to help you understand how Novo works and decide if it’s right for you. We’ll also talk with you about other options if needed.

Does Novo accept students mid-year?

Yes, we consider enrolments throughout the year, depending on available spaces. Contact us to discuss your situation.

Are there any special requirements for enrolment?

Yes. Novo Education is a Special Assistance School, which means we are designed and funded to support students who face significant barriers to education—particularly those with social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties.

We assess whether each student’s needs align with our purpose. This may include challenges with mental health, learning, behaviour, disability, financial or social disadvantage, or being from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

To be eligible, students must be in Years 9 to 12, and show they are willing to attend regularly, follow expectations, and take part in their learning. During your application and interview, we’ll talk about your situation, your goals, and how Novo can support you.

What support is available for students?

Novo has a dedicated care team (Mentor Teacher and Wellbeing Officer) and personalised learning plans. We also connect with outside services if needed and offer family support programs.

Can I visit Novo before I apply?

Yes! We encourage you to book a tour of our campus to meet our staff, see our spaces, and ask any questions.

Still have questions? Speak with our friendly staff.

Your next step starts here

If you’re ready to move forward and want a school that truly gets you, we’re here to help. Start your journey with Novo today.