Concerned about falling through the cracks in a much larger system and unsure of what her future held, Jazz reached out to ACE Secondary College.
Within days, she was accepted — and everything changed.
What she found at ACE was exactly what she’d been searching for — connection, support and a sense of belonging.
“It really felt like the teachers and staff genuinely cared about me and my journey toward finishing Year 12,” Jazz said.
“I made friends straight away, and the smaller class sizes suited me perfectly.
“There were only 12 of us in my year level, so we had heaps of one-on-one time with teachers.
“It was amazing.”
And finish Year 12 she did — but her time at ACE was far from over.
After graduation, Jazz worked at SPC and in a local café, but something was missing.
She missed the school — the people, the energy, the sense of purpose.
So, she got in touch with principal Bronwyn Rose to see if there were any opportunities to return.
As luck would have it, there were.
Jazz was offered a two-year traineeship in sport and recreation through AFL SportsReady Education and Employment, allowing her to work alongside the same staff who had once guided her.
“Working next to people I used to look up to as a student was such a valuable experience,” she said.
“Everyone was so supportive of my next steps, and I loved it so much that I took on a teacher’s aide role as well.”
Now, Jazz has worked as a teacher’s aide for two years and recently added First Aid and Occupational Health and Safety officer to her list of responsibilities.
She’s become a trusted, familiar face — and someone the students admire.
“I think it’s because I was one of them,” Jazz said.
“I sat in the same classrooms, faced the same challenges. I get it.
“The students treat me like a friend, and there’s just a really positive vibe here — always has been.
“ACE was the perfect place for me to finish school, and now it's the perfect place to work. I feel incredibly lucky to still be part of it.”
But Jazz’s journey is far from over.
She’s now studying a Bachelor of Teaching through Curtin University, with plans to become a qualified teacher — and her dream is to stay right where it all began.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without this school and the people in it,” she said.
“I never thought I’d be able to do something like this — but here I am.
“And I’m not going anywhere — I’m here to stay.”
– Kelly Lucas-Carmody
14°C