Cirkidz is reimagining its digital future

Client:

Cirkidz Circus School

Location:

Tonsley Innovation District, South Australia

Partners:

Flinders University, Cisco, Innovation Central Adelaide (ICA)

Focus Areas:

Digital Transformation, Workflow Automation, Operations Management, Work Integrated Learning

The Opportunity

Adelaide’s creative and performing arts sector is home to some of the city’s most beloved community organisations. Cirkidz Circus School has been a cornerstone of youth arts in South Australia for decades but like many small arts organisations, its operational systems hadn’t kept pace with its growth. Disconnected tools, manual processes, and friction across client acquisition, rostering, and emergency shift management were creating real challenges for the team.

Through ICA’s Digital Transformation Student Internship Program, Flinders University student Syafiq Kamarul was partnered with Cirkidz to identify opportunities and deliver practical solutions bringing academic rigour and fresh perspective to a real industry challenge.

The Approach

Syafiq conducted a thorough review of Cirkidz’s existing operations before designing a roadmap for change. Working within the organisation over 12 weeks, he centralised their workflows through automation and streamlined communications, connecting systems that had previously operated in isolation.

The program is structured to give students genuinely valuable work integrated learning while delivering real outcomes for the organisations they work with. Backed by Flinders University academics and Cisco experts through ICA, Syafiq had the support to move from diagnosis to solution with confidence.

The Impact

Digital Operations: A clear roadmap for end-to-end digital tools to transform how Cirkidz works from client intake forms to rostering and real-time shift swaps.
Workforce Capability: Cirkidz staff gained exposure to new digital workflows, building internal confidence and capability for ongoing transformation.
Organisational Efficiency: Disconnected systems were replaced with connected, automated processes reducing friction and freeing the team to focus on what they do best.
Student Development: Syafiq gained hands-on industry experience solving a genuine business challenge, supported by academic and industry mentors.

Looking Ahead

Syafiq’s work at Cirkidz is just the beginning. The roadmap he delivered gives the organisation a clear path toward full digital integration and a foundation to build on as they continue to grow.

ICA’s Digital Transformation Student Internship Program continues to match talented Flinders University students with organisations ready for change. The result is a model that works for everyone: students gain real experience, organisations get real outcomes, and South Australia’s innovation ecosystem gets stronger.

Could your organisation be next? Find out more about how ICA’s Digital Transformation Student Internship Program can support your industry needs here.