Service Acadmey enrolments open

KAROLINE TUCKEY

A new Service Academy to open at Naenae College this term will offer a more regimented brand of learning that proponents say gets results.

Service Academies offer a full-time alternative school programme focused on military careers.

Class time is divided between studying NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) units in maths and English, and leadership and outdoor education activities.

"It's targeted at those students who have turned 16 and may want to go on into the defence forces, or they might be interested in doing security work or joining the police, or just may be in between and not sure where to go," Naenae College principal John Russell says.

This is to be the second Service Academy in the region; a programme at Mana College in Porirua was among the first to open, in 2009.

"I've had a pretty good look at the Mana College one and they are doing really well there, the kids are really on board - certainly their attendance and commitment is a vast improvement, and it has a distinct family and community feel," Mr Russell says.

The programme is run closely with the defence forces Life Skills unit, as well as wider community participation. It includes three off-site short courses, beginning with an eight-day induction at Waiouru.

"They like structure, the routine, the opportunity to do more experiential learning, the idea of going away and being on these short courses and learning survival skills and being more of an adult," Mr Russell says.

The course is aimed at year 12 and 13 pupils, in particular those at risk of dropping out of mainstream classes, though Mr Russell says the Naenae programme will be open to students up to 20 years old.

Five students have signed up so far, and the school expects to sign another five before the beginning of term one, which starts on January 30. Places will ultimately be available for 20.

Naenae College's academy is being funded to $90,000 through the Education Ministry, though Mr Russell says there will still be costs to be met by the school, including some staffing costs.

- Hutt News