About our School

Carbrook Centre cultivates a place of belonging where our students can learn and grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. We believe that engagement in meaningful schooling has a life-long impact on young people. Our goal is for our students to grow in confidence, purpose and be able to contribute positively within their communities. Carbrook Centre is committed to demonstrating Christ’s love in the community by providing high-quality Special Assistance Schooling.

We seek to:

People standing in a circle in a room, some clapping and some looking at phones or a notebook, with a whiteboard and a large TV screen in the background.

Partner

Partner and work with students, their families and stakeholders in a way that demonstrates our core values of love, justice, and hope

Relate

Build trusting and safe relationships within our school community as a foundational step for student development

Empower

Up skill our student’s literacy, numeracy and transition capabilities to give them greater choices in the future and better contribute within their community.

Lead

Lead the way in schooling, specialising in animal assisted learning, trauma informed and restorative practices, partnering with experts in the fields to work towards best practice.

Engage

Provide engaging and relevant learning experiences that support the individual needs of the student

Our Mission, Vision and Values

  • Our Vision

    Transformed futures for all young people in our school community.

  • Our Mission

    To cultivate a school community of belonging where young people with complex needs can learn and grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and spiritually.

  • Our Core Values

    Three Christian values, love, justice, and hope are at the core of Carbrook Centre. We are motivated by and committed to applying these values in our school community.

View Programs
Two young women sitting on a wooden bench under a large tree with sprawling branches and green leaves, in a park or fenced area on a sunny day.

Explore Our Values

  • Carbrook Centre believe that each young person has an intrinsic value, despite their behaviour and life circumstance. We take on a nurturing role in the young person’s life- offering food, protection, support, encouragement, training, guidance and mentoring. We endure difficult circumstances and never give up on a young person. We are hopeful for better outcomes in the future.

    ​

    “If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing… Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance”. 1 Corinthians 13:3,7 (NLT)

  • Carbrook Centre demonstrate justice through services and practical actions that address the impacts of trauma, and/ or disability on young people’s lives.

    We take a relational approach and focus on understanding each young person through communication and developing trusting relationships with them, their families and stakeholders.​

    We take a restorative approach, modelling respectful communication, and practicing how to repair relationships when they become damaged.

    “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. Micah 6:8 (NIV)

  • Carbrook Centre believe all young people have a hope and a purpose, no matter their situation or life circumstance. This hope drives us to go above and beyond to ensure that students learn and grow socially, emotionally, cognitively and spiritually.

    “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Children sitting at a wooden table playing word tile game and wearing glasses, in a classroom with bookshelves and colorful seating.

Our History

Since 2013, the Carbrook team have developed an educational program with a strong reputation for the ongoing support of young people in the community who have been identified as ‘at risk’, and unable to attend mainstream school.

From 2013- 2017, Carbrook Centre operated as a Flexible Arrangement schooling option for young people who required more complex support. The program was based on animal assisted learning including equestrian vaulting and horse management skills. The program followed trauma informed and restorative practices underpinned by Christian values.

Feedback from community stakeholders was very positive, with many reporting improvements in engagement at school, which also resulted in encouraging changes in young people’s lives.

In 2017, Transformed Futures was established to continue the program after it ceased as a Flexible Arrangement. Transformed Futures resolved to have Carbrook Centre accredited as a school and, in 2019, Carbrook Centre commenced its first year of operation as an accredited school.

Special Assistance Schools in Queensland are independent, receiving Federal and State government funding, and do not charge tuition fees.

Meet The Team

  • A smiling older woman with glasses and earrings standing outdoors in a green park, with trees in the background.

    Vivienne Batt

    Head of Campus

  • A woman with dark hair and earrings smiling outdoors near trees and greenery, wearing a white button-up shirt.

    Anna Borneman

    Executive Director

  • A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling outdoors in front of a tree with green leaves.

    Marnie Parker

    Senior Teacher/Senior Pathways Coordinator

  • Close-up of a young man with brown hair and blue eyes smiling, standing outdoors in front of a tree with textured bark, green foliage, and a lawn in the background. He is wearing a black collared shirt with green trim and a logo for Carbrook Animal Assisted Learning Centre.

    James Ellison

    Teacher

  • Close-up of a smiling man with facial hair, wearing a light-colored T-shirt, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Joel Tuita

    Community Engagement Coordinator

  • A woman with light brown hair and glasses smiling outdoors in a wooded area, wearing a dark navy athletic shirt with green piping from Carbock.

    Darani Cumming

    Animal Assisted Learning Manager

  • A woman with short blonde hair smiling outdoors near trees, wearing a dark navy shirt with green accents and a name tag, beside a black dog with a purple vest, in a forested area.

    Amanda Kroon (& Freddie)

    School-Based Occupational Therapist

  • A woman with dark hair and a light smile standing outdoors in front of a large tree surrounded by green leaves, wearing a dark blue shirt with green accents.

    Cathy Whiting

    Student Wellbeing Coordinator

  • A blonde woman with blue eyes smiling and wearing a red shirt standing outdoors near a tree with green leaves in the background.

    Bethany Time

    Student Engagement Coordinator

  • Close-up of a young woman with light skin and long brown hair, smiling, wearing a black shirt with green accents, standing outdoors among trees. She has a name tag that reads 'Zoe Bates' and is associated with Carbrook. The shirt has a logo of a green animal and the words 'Animal Assisted Learning Facilitator' on it.

    Zoe Bates

    Wellbeing and Learning Facilitator

  • A smiling woman with short brown hair and blue eyes stands outdoors near a tree with green leaves. She wears a dark sleeveless top and a floral skirt. The background is a park with grass and trees.

    Danielle Carse

    Executive Coordinator

  • Close-up of a smiling young man with curly hair, wearing a white shirt with black line drawings of strawberries and butterflies, standing outdoors in a green, wooded park.

    Sebastian Hans

    Digital Learning Coordinator

  • A man with black hair smiling outdoors next to a tree in a park. He is wearing a dark polo shirt with green accents and a logo on the chest that says 'Caribook Animal Assisted Learning Centre.' The background features green leaves and trees.

    James Pula

    Property Manager & Youth Support