Our 2021 Empower programmes are now underway and it has been awesome to see the motivation of the students involved to get going again after the Christmas break.
Empower is a programme we piloted last year and were very pleased to see it expanded this year. Click here to visit the Empower page on our website to learn more.
This year sees Empower partnering with Hutt Valley High School and Heretaunga College. Both schools now have a group working towards their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and Heretuanga College also has a new group just getting started with their Bronze.
Activities undertaken so far this term have been litter pickups at Harcourt Park and Heretaunga College, walks on Te Ara Tirohanga and Tane’s Track, Chess and Disc Golf. Our days together are always varied, productive and never boring!
So far this year on our walks, all students have turned up with food and water, and none have tried to carry an 8kg kettle bell in their bags, so there is definitely proof of learning from last year’s experiences!
The students are already setting personal goals for the rest of the year, researching new walking tracks to explore, and working on their fitness for the overnight expeditions they will undertake in term 4.
This year we will be meeting with each group fortnightly, for a full day of programme geared around their Award. We will also look to run combined events in the holidays bringing all the groups together for some big adventures.
Alex Britton - Empower Programme Coordinator