An army-style course aims to give some Cromwell College pupils a sense of confidence and discipline. Reporter Jono Edwards explores the affects the school's first Blast programme has had on pupils.
Cromwell College pupil Nathan Mallard (17) hopes Blue Light Alternative Strategies for Teenagers (Blast) will be a good platform for pursuing a career in the army and police.
He had a history in the cadets, which translated well in to the programme, he said.
"It's also my last year and I wanted something to keep me occupied.''
Pupils in the course developed a sense of camaraderie, he said.
"The younger kids now come up to me at school and say 'hey Nate-Dog'.''
The eight-week programme is sponsored by youth charity Blue Light, which is overseen by the New Zealand Police.
It is the first year the school has offered the course, in which 24 Cromwell College pupils come to school at 6.15am three times a week for fitness and discipline training.
Co-ordinator and history teacher Nick Booth said the content of the course was similar to army training.
"There is a big focus on personal fitness. Some of the aims are building confidence, leadership skills and discipline.''
The course is physical, involving gym circuits, marching and discipline exercises, running and carrying large logs in teams.
It is based in the school gymnasium but uses other facilities, such as the Cromwell Swim Centre.
Mr Booth has 23 years experience in the New Zealand Army, where he still works part time.
He ran a similar course for three years at Kaikoura High School while he was a teacher there, in which some children were ordered by a judge to participate.
The Cromwell College course is voluntary.
The course was meant for year 9 to 13 pupils, but year 8 Thomas White (12) "slipped through'' regardless, Mr Booth said.
Improving his fitness to better play soccer, squash and cricket was an incentive for Thomas.
The physical challenges could be difficult, but his fitness had improved, he said.
"In my second beep test I beat my first score by two whole levels.
"The others can carry the logs on their shoulders but I have to hold my hands right up.''
Mr Booth said he shoulder-tapped children he thought would benefit from the programme.
"It's children who aren't engaged in sport or in their academic studies.
"He thought it might tire out the children but it seemed to give them more energy,'' he said.
"Some pupils dropped out but not necessarily because it was too hard. Often, they just had other commitments, which we encourage.''
He hoped to continue the course next year if there was enough interest, he said.
Four girls and 20 boys were involved in the course and more girls had since expressed interest, he said.
Ruby-May Taylor (16) learned of the course when her brother brought home a brochure.
"I wanted to improve my confidence. I think I definitely have.''
She said she was used to the 5am wake-up, as she used to have to rise early for ballet.
"I have to bike from Bannockburn but I'm able to get there five minutes faster now, so I have have a longer sleep-in.''
One highlight is the breakfasts, organised by assistant principal Karen Inglis, which include French toast, bacon, smoothies and pancakes.
There was a "huge'' difference in the pupils being responsible and doing their own dishes since course began, she said.
"And they are looking out for others, always saying ‘thank you','' she said.
Police Sergeant Bruce Terry said it was a "fantastic'' programme.
He attended several of the sessions and was "amazed'' at their progress, he said.
"I watched them marching and it surprised me how quickly they picked it up. I've been through police training with hundreds of people and these kids picked it up faster than any of them.''
He encouraged other schools to start similar programmes.
The programme existed at other schools around the country in the past under the name Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support (Cactus).
Cromwell College principal Mason Stretch said it was "fabulous'' to have a programme that could improve the self-esteem of pupils.
"It's great to have someone like Nick Booth, who did such a good job over in Kaikoura.''
He believed it was the only course of its kind in Central Otago.
The programme ends today, with a graduation and march out at the Cromwell Swim Centre.
