Our story
SASY was born from a shared dream between three passionate humans—Dr. Maria La Pietra, Rosie Stavrou, and Nic Pellegrini who believed that every young person could have their both their educational and wellbeing needs met at school.
In 2016, they founded the Specialised Assistance School for Youth with a vision to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for students who had disengaged from traditional education. Their mission was simple but powerful: to reconnect young people with learning, wellbeing, and a sense of purpose.
SASY began in 30 Chesser Street with 16 students, 6 staff, and one building in 2016, and almost a decade later there are over 200 students enrolled, almost 60 staff employed, and 4 buildings in Chesser Street. SASY is currently building a Middle School campus in Thebarton, set to open in 2026.
Despite SASY's growth, what hasn't changed, is the focus on young people who need our support.
For the young people who need extra time, who need help with their learning, who need support with mental health, who need flexibility, feel isolated, or who have just felt like traditional school hasn't worked for them - that is where SASY comes in. SASY focusses on the whole person, addressing all of their needs so that they feel ready to learn, supported, regulated, and safe.
We believe that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, and we will keep working to make that happen.
The Specialised Assistance School for Youth (SASY) is a fee free independent secondary Specialised Assistance School (SAS) operating specifically for disengaged young people who have complex needs between the ages of 13 and 25, in Years 8-12.
SASY is innovative in its practice, flexible and responsive in its delivery, and focuses on providing an environment which enables young people to recognise and achieve their potential. Through research and practice, SASY’s unique approach to reconnecting young people to learning is made up of the following four components we call Holistic Practice: holistic learning, restorative practice, trauma informed practice, and an inclusive community.
We believe that all young people have the right to learn and be supported with personalised care, fair assessment, collaborative and individual learning programs, practice critical and creative thinking, find their voice, and actively engage in the community as an individual with a positive sense of self.
Our vision
To create a caring environment, where disengaged young people, with complex needs, are reconnected through holistic educational experiences that improve wellbeing and reignite their interest in learning.
Our values
Respect
For self and others, including both character and culture.
Trust
Be honest, sincere and seek the truth.
Acceptance
Respect and welcome others' diversity.
Resilience
Care for self and others as we build our capacity to try new things.
Connection
Nurture authentic relationships to self, others, and our environment.
Celebration
Share opportunities, possibilities, voices, grow community and bring joy.
SASY works side by side young people with a team of collaborators. Every staff member plays a pivotal role in the varying stages of a young person’s life at SASY, discovering new ways of looking at the world, while building the skills needed to inhabit it.
Our team is made up of Youth Workers, Teachers, and admin staff. The equal balance between Teachers and Youth Workers is part of what makes SASY unique. Collaboration is vital in delivering workshops, overseeing learning, supporting wellbeing, and building paths to best suit young people’s goals.
We also work closely with health and community services, and student’s families and friends. Together, we make a strong community, and take part in a journey that is impactful and memorable.
The SASY Board
SASY's Board of Directors are responsible for the governance of the school and monitor performance, offer industry knowledge, ensure compliance and provide the school with strategic direction.
The SASY Board
Rob is an experienced chair, director and leader, who has developed his leadership, management and governance skills and experience in a wide range of industries.
He has spent nearly 40 years in senior management and leadership roles and has been involved with or on boards for over 20 years. Rob has vast experience in both not-for-profit and for-profit organisations and has been heavily involved with various charities for many years.
Rob is currently a Director of The Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Association of SA, a Director of Port Adelaide Football Club, Chair of Power Community Limited, as is the past Chair of both the Country Fire Service Foundation and Astera Group. He is the Principal of Rob Snbowdon Advisory, which provides advice to various organisations and individuals and is an AICD Company Directors course graduate.
Rob was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours for services to the community, and to Australian rules football.
The SASY Board
David Martin, Consultant at (and former Managing Partner of) Finlaysons Lawyers, specialises in property and development law, aged care and retirement villages. His experience extends to both very large and small operators, and to both ‘for profit’ and ‘not for profit’ operators.
David has played a key role in landmark projects across South Australia and nationally. In addition to his legal expertise, David possesses wide general commercial knowledge and expertise, and a deep understanding of governance, risk and compliance.
David is currently the Chairman of the Board of Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc (SCC), the largest aged care provider in South Australia, and has been a valued member of that Board for over 10 years. He is also a member of several of the SCC Board’s Subcommittees.
The SASY Board
Lloyd is currently the Chief Operating & Financial Officer with the Australian Red Cross, and in 2024 was the Chief of Future Directions.
He has a range of transformative strategic commercial skills acquired with globally recognised brands such as Penfolds and GM, and strategic financial roles in global media and communications.
A career working both in Australia and internationally, he has dedicated his skills to supporting talented people create successful organisations.
As a senior leader, he is viewed as measured, collaborative and ethical whilst holding high expectations of performance in complex environments. His leadership style reflects strong values and respect for the individual.
The SASY Board
Helen is an Education specialist and Solicitor with extensive knowledge in Education Law from a broad base of experience in the industry. As a former school Principal, Teacher, Parent and current Director, she has dealt with educational compliance issues, employment, governance and policy development.
Helen is a Teacher and School Administrator of more than 20 years. Helen currently works at DFG Legal WA in Family Law, particularly on children's matters. She enjoys helping others find opportunities when facing challenges and supports individual choice.
The SASY Board
Thriving in a holistic and collaborative learning environment focused on transition and outcomes, Maria co-founded SASY in 2016.
She is highly regarded and well networked in her field, as recognised through her relationships and industry memberships. Maria has a Masters and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2024. She aims to bring improvement through practical, theoretical and collaborative knowledge, developing evidence-based strategies and recommendations for educators and others in learning environments supporting young people with trauma.
Maria aims to bring improvement through practical, theoretical and collaborative knowledge, developing evidence-based strategies and recommendations for educators in learning environments supporting young people with mental health and trauma.
The SASY Board
Joseph has practiced in clinical and organisational psychology for thirty-five years, with a specific interest in anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders, in addition to individual coaching and team development, with a specific interest in psychological evaluation and health care recruitment.
Since 1992 he has provided psychological services to SA Ambulance Service. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, with AHPRA endorsement in clinical & organisational psychology. Joseph is also Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists and the College of Organisational Psychologists.
In 2006 he completed a PhD and in 2011 was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to mental health in the community and emergency services. In 2023, Dr Magliaro was awarded the Australian National Emergency Medal for the provision of mental health services during the COVID pandemic and 2019-2020 bushfires.
The SASY Board
Sean has extensive experience at Board and Senior Executive levels in Commonwealth and State Governments and the Private Sector, predominantly in the energy industry.
His expertise includes business and financial strategy, governance and risk, customer service, people and culture, business transformation and regulation.
Sean is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and considers access to education, whether that be trade, vocational or academic as fundamental to an individual's wellbeing and life opportunities.
The SASY Board
Carolyn Granstkalns has extensive experience in the education sector and has had a significant impact on the industry during her time as an educator, Principal, leader and Board Member of multiple organisations.
She is currently the Presiding Member of the Teacher Registration Board of SA, a Trustee of the History Trust of SA, Chair of Suneden Specialist School Board, a Council member of the St Peter’s Cathedral Council, a Fellow of the Australian College of Educational Leaders and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
The SASY Board
Rob is an experienced chair, director and leader, who has developed his leadership, management and governance skills and experience in a wide range of industries.
He has spent nearly 40 years in senior management and leadership roles and has been involved with or on boards for over 20 years. Rob has vast experience in both not-for-profit and for-profit organisations and has been heavily involved with various charities for many years.
Rob is currently a Director of The Quadriplegic & Paraplegic Association of SA, a Director of Port Adelaide Football Club, Chair of Power Community Limited, as is the past Chair of both the Country Fire Service Foundation and Astera Group. He is the Principal of Rob Snbowdon Advisory, which provides advice to various organisations and individuals and is an AICD Company Directors course graduate.
Rob was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King's Birthday Honours for services to the community, and to Australian rules football.
The SASY Board
David Martin, Consultant at (and former Managing Partner of) Finlaysons Lawyers, specialises in property and development law, aged care and retirement villages. His experience extends to both very large and small operators, and to both ‘for profit’ and ‘not for profit’ operators.
David has played a key role in landmark projects across South Australia and nationally. In addition to his legal expertise, David possesses wide general commercial knowledge and expertise, and a deep understanding of governance, risk and compliance.
David is currently the Chairman of the Board of Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & Vic) Inc (SCC), the largest aged care provider in South Australia, and has been a valued member of that Board for over 10 years. He is also a member of several of the SCC Board’s Subcommittees.
The SASY Board
Lloyd is currently the Chief Operating & Financial Officer with the Australian Red Cross, and in 2024 was the Chief of Future Directions.
He has a range of transformative strategic commercial skills acquired with globally recognised brands such as Penfolds and GM, and strategic financial roles in global media and communications.
A career working both in Australia and internationally, he has dedicated his skills to supporting talented people create successful organisations.
As a senior leader, he is viewed as measured, collaborative and ethical whilst holding high expectations of performance in complex environments. His leadership style reflects strong values and respect for the individual.
The SASY Board
Helen is an Education specialist and Solicitor with extensive knowledge in Education Law from a broad base of experience in the industry. As a former school Principal, Teacher, Parent and current Director, she has dealt with educational compliance issues, employment, governance and policy development.
Helen is a Teacher and School Administrator of more than 20 years. Helen currently works at DFG Legal WA in Family Law, particularly on children's matters. She enjoys helping others find opportunities when facing challenges and supports individual choice.
The SASY Board
Thriving in a holistic and collaborative learning environment focused on transition and outcomes, Maria co-founded SASY in 2016.
She is highly regarded and well networked in her field, as recognised through her relationships and industry memberships. Maria has a Masters and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in 2024. She aims to bring improvement through practical, theoretical and collaborative knowledge, developing evidence-based strategies and recommendations for educators and others in learning environments supporting young people with trauma.
Maria aims to bring improvement through practical, theoretical and collaborative knowledge, developing evidence-based strategies and recommendations for educators in learning environments supporting young people with mental health and trauma.
The SASY Board
Joseph has practiced in clinical and organisational psychology for thirty-five years, with a specific interest in anxiety, trauma, and mood disorders, in addition to individual coaching and team development, with a specific interest in psychological evaluation and health care recruitment.
Since 1992 he has provided psychological services to SA Ambulance Service. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society, with AHPRA endorsement in clinical & organisational psychology. Joseph is also Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists and the College of Organisational Psychologists.
In 2006 he completed a PhD and in 2011 was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to mental health in the community and emergency services. In 2023, Dr Magliaro was awarded the Australian National Emergency Medal for the provision of mental health services during the COVID pandemic and 2019-2020 bushfires.
The SASY Board
Sean has extensive experience at Board and Senior Executive levels in Commonwealth and State Governments and the Private Sector, predominantly in the energy industry.
His expertise includes business and financial strategy, governance and risk, customer service, people and culture, business transformation and regulation.
Sean is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and considers access to education, whether that be trade, vocational or academic as fundamental to an individual's wellbeing and life opportunities.
The SASY Board
Carolyn Granstkalns has extensive experience in the education sector and has had a significant impact on the industry during her time as an educator, Principal, leader and Board Member of multiple organisations.
She is currently the Presiding Member of the Teacher Registration Board of SA, a Trustee of the History Trust of SA, Chair of Suneden Specialist School Board, a Council member of the St Peter’s Cathedral Council, a Fellow of the Australian College of Educational Leaders and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Senior Leadership Team
