Our Story

Our story

Alta-1 first began its journey in early 2000 when the co-founders and visionary leaders Dr Peter Havel, Garfield Thompson and Paul Trinder, came together to make a difference in the lives of disengaged young people and their families.

The founders believed that the best way to support disengaged students was to offer a safe and holistic approach to education that helps them on their journey of self-transformation.

This is the heart of ‘The Alta-1 Way’.

This approach created a partnership between a school and local Perth church “The Place” which hosted the first educational site in 2002.

In 2004 a not-for-profit organisation was established and in 2006 Alta-1 received its registration as a Multi-Sited School.

Each founder brings a wealth of experience in education, therapeutic support and community engagement that has made Alta-1 the organisation it is today.

Alta-1 has seen thousands of students come through the program across Western Australia and Queensland.

This is The
Alta-1 Way

Through our services of alternative education, recovery programs, opportunities for enterprise and community transformation initiatives, our goal is that young people receive the support and training they need to survive and reach their full potential.

This is our point of difference and this is ‘The Alta-1 Way’.