Wheelhouse Tas Inc is a self-directed learning centre for teens, based in Tasmania, Australia. We offer creative, hands-on and academic resources for young people to access. Teens are able to pick and choose from workshops and classes, and form connections with our volunteer mentors in the wider community. We act as facilitators, supporting and encouraging teens to take control of their learning, delve into their interests, and, build on their strengths. This is an individual journey for each child.

Our teen members have full access to:

– A wide range of workshops, classes and one-to-one mentoring that they can, not only pick and choose from, but request.

– Our creative, hands-on, and academic resources.

– A variety of camps and excursions.

– The support of facilitators who regularly check in with each student member regarding their wellbeing, interests, strengths and goals.

– A sense of belonging and welcoming space to connect with other like-minded teens and mentors of all ages.

– Connections to the wider community.

– Ideas and support for learning experiences to enjoy at home.

While self-directed learning centres are a relatively new concept in Australia, they exist in many countries around the world. While each centre has its own unique style, they all prioritise wellbeing and autonomy, and are founded on thorough research.

This style of education also leads to a deep understanding of subject matter, high retention rates, and the development of a life-long passion for learning. When kids work hard at something they love they enter a ‘flow’ state, where time passes quickly, and their attention is completely engaged – free of stress. When a teen is good at what they do, they have a good sense of self-worth and belief in themselves.

Wheelhouse supports families who have high-school aged children who are unfulfilled in the school system and those who are looking for an inspiring way to supplement their home education program.

At the centre, our priority is the teens’ emotional and social wellbeing. Without the restrictions of set timetables and homework, students are able to have more energy and enthusiasm for life and learning. A happy and relaxed teen learns more efficiently.

Our passion for starting Wheelhouse Tas Inc is to make this simple natural learning method more available to young people. Children deserve to feel happy in their learning journey, and they deserve to experience balanced mental health.

The questions we ask ourselves at Wheelhouse are – how can we help this teen gain a sense of control over their life? And, how can we help them find their own inner drive and make the most of their potential?

Wheelhouse is co-founded by Melissa Storey and Marion Thomas

Meet the Co-Founders.

About Marion:

Marion has delved into self-directed education since the age of sixteen, and has followed many different paths as a result. She has worked as a freelance writer, manuscript assessor and editor, seamstress assistant, hula hoopist and disability/aged care support worker. She currently works as a home education registration officer.

Marion has also apprenticed as a herbalist, volunteered as a literacy tutor, achieved first-class honours in English through UTAS, travelled, and won awards for her short fiction.

She has a passion for positive social change and thinks self-directed education can play an important part in creating an innovative society with more widespread wellbeing.

Her two daughters have had a blend of school and self-directed education.

About Mel:

Mel is a mother of three and a foster carer, who has been following her own unique self-directed learning path since finishing high school. She has travelled the world, and has lived in the UK, Malaysia and Cambodia. She has previously worked as a pastry chef, cake decorator and now enjoys her work life as an entrepreneur.

Her many achievements include:

Founding a non-profit English school in Cambodia

Establishing non-profit village tours in Cambodia that fund clean water, sanitation and education.

Founding an international tour company, which takes school students on tour to Cambodia and Singapore with a heavy focus on community service projects.

Mel is passionate about making self-directed learning available to all teens across Tasmania. She is also driven by helping disadvantaged people, and is interested in mindful living, meditation, reading, gardening, hiking, camping and spending time with family.