Howick College recently celebrated another graduation of 11 students from its Blue Edge programme.
Blue Edge is a programme run in collaboration with the NZ Police, Howick College, One More Rep Fitness and Young Life Trust.
The programme was initiated at the college under the leadership of Eric Wall, deputy principal and Lyall Carter, Howick College’s Youth Worker, at the start of Term 2.
Mr Wall acknowledged that they had a gap in their school pastoral programmes that did not meet the needs of some of its students.
The college has always had a close working relationship with the police and the employment of Mr Carter was the catalyst they needed to successful engage these students. Six months on, they have successfully graduated 35 students from the programme.
The programme focuses on developing each identified student’s personal goals, recognises their limitations to success and through mentoring with One More Rep Fitness personal trainers, NZ Police and Mr Carter, they have identified changes they need to make to reach their potential in and out of the classroom.
Mr Wall noted that we have seen a marked improvement in the students’ engagement and willingness to become more involved in school life.
The Blue Edge programme involves the students committing to early morning fitness sessions, breakfast club and group mentoring workshops during school time.
