Our History

Kairos Community College was founded with a clear and courageous purpose: to create a transformative educational space where young people disengaged or at risk of disengaging from mainstream schooling are empowered to reconnect with learning and community. From our inception, Kairos has been shaped by a commitment to relational education and the belief that every student deserves dignity, opportunity, and belonging.

In 2013 Community Youth Education Options (CYEO) Ltd was established as the legal entity to operate as Kairos Community College.  CYEO is a company limited by guarantee with public benevolent institution status. Opening in 2015 Kairos Community College emerged from the work of Deception Bay Community Youth Programs (DBCYP), who provided programs and services to young people in Deception Bay since 1994. We recognise that education holds the key for young people to change their future trajectory and Kairos was established to meet this need.

Kairos staff celebrating at our first Graduation in 2015.

Kairos was established through the collaborative efforts of:

• Mark Cornford, the original Chair of the Kairos Board, whose governance expertise ensured the college was founded with clarity, integrity, and purpose. His unwavering commitment to student wellbeing and strategic systems design helped embed a culture of care, accountability, and high expectations from the outset.
• Howard Buckley, whose strategic leadership and deep sector knowledge helped transform the vision into a viable and impactful institution. His guidance was instrumental in navigating compliance, governance, and community engagement, laying the groundwork for Kairos’ long-term sustainability.
• Tanya Genito, founding Head of School of Kairos Community College, whose pioneering work led to the development of the original Social Brain Education Model (SBEM). Her insights into relational safety, emotional regulation, and student agency laid the philosophical foundation for Kairos’ early practice. Tanya’s foundational work set the course for Kairos’ future.”

These three individuals were central to the establishment of Kairos, supported by a wider network of educators, youth workers, community leaders, and advocates who believed in the power of education. Their collective efforts created a school that is rigorous, compassionate, and responsive to the needs of its learners.

Executive Principal Tony Andrews sharing exciting Kairos updates with Howard Buckley in 2025.