Max Lyons, from Roncalli College, had an experience like no other when he was nominated and completed the Outward Bound Whakatipu course this year.
This is the first time the course has been run; it was established for pupils who are enrolled in a Gateway programme.
These are designed to support pupils’ transition into the workforce by offering them workplace learning while at secondary school.
Two people from the South Island were nominated to attend the course in Anakiwa.
The course isdesigned to help them develop leadership skills through setting goals with both the school and their employer.
Max (16) is doing his Gateway placement through Dimension Building and said that he used the skills he learnt on the course nearly every day.
‘‘I learnt that when working in a group, whether at school or at work, everyone needs to speak up because the group can lose 50% of the best ideas from the people who don’t speak their thoughts on the topic.’’
The course helped set goals with him and provided all of the equipment, so he only had to take his personal gear for the eight days.
The minimum requirements to go on the course included being able to run 3.5km in under 25 minutes and to be comfortable around water.
‘‘It was really different from normal everyday life.
‘‘Every morning we had to be up and ready by 6.15am for PT.
‘‘It consisted of a 20-minute warm-up of stretches, then into a 3.5km run and then a swim in the ocean.’’
Max was pushed out of his comfort zone many times and tried many new things, such as spending a night alone in the wilderness without a phone or watch.
Venture Timaru My Next Move vocational co-ordinator Courtney Molloy said the course was introduced by the Ministry of Education.
‘‘We hope the programme was successful and that it continues so other kids in the future can benefit from it.’’
