Alternative education supports North Canterbury youth
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Tucked away on a four hectare block between Kaiapoi and Rangiora is a new alternative education programme for students who struggle to fit into the mainstream.
The Noaia Charitable Trust, based at Tuahiwi, took over the North Canterbury alternative education programme from Rangiora High School in term one.
It now takes in up to 16 students aged 13 to 16 years from Kaiapoi and Rangiora High Schools, Oxford, Amuri and Cheviot area schools, Hurunui College and Rangiora New Life School.
Programme manager Jackie Freeman said the small numbers makes it easier to cater to the students’ individual learning needs, including supporting them to earn NCEA credits.
‘‘We do an individual learning plan for each of our young people.
‘‘There is a misconception only naughty kids access alternative education, but there is a range of reasons why young people come here.’’
Most of the students are neurodiverse or kinesthetic learners (learning through physical activity), and often both, she said.
‘‘We are able to identify when the kids are getting frustrated or struggling with their work as soon as it happens, due to having smaller numbers.
‘‘We can see the bubble before it turns into a geyser.’’
Students can attend the Ruataniwha programme anywhere from one term or up to three years.
The programme can support students to transition back to school or into work or further study options.
‘‘We can be what we need to be for each of the individuals.’’
Mrs Freeman said the funding allowed her to employ one full-time and two part-time tutors and she looked for particular skill-sets.
This included a background of working with children through trauma, or working in youth justice or pastoral care roles.
Transport is provided to get the students to school on time, with breakfast provided thanks to the Sanitarium Breakfast Club.
Lunches are also provided, with fresh vegetables from a big, one acre garden.
‘‘One of our tutors is an amazing cook, so the students are so spoilt,’’ Freeman said.
The Noaia Charitable Trust was established five years ago by local Whānau and offers learning which is underpinned by kaupapa Māori philosophy.
It also offers the E Tū Rangatira training programme with up to 16 places for rangitahi Māori aged 16 to 24 years.
Those students can complete a New Zealand Certificate in building or agriculture and are supported into employment or further training.
The 4-hectare property has sheep and cows, with students involved in farm work and in practical work around the property, such as landscaping and building a laneway and stockyards as part of their learning.
Rangiora High School announced last year it was withdrawing from being a provider of alternative education services.
The school has developed its own programme to support year 9 and 10 students, which is funded by the board of trustees.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
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