Aerie technical college, Mannum marina base.

Aerie Residential Technical College, Slipway marina Mannum.

"IN PLANNING" - Aerie Residential Technical High School serves as a vital pathway and career readiness in the Riverlands.

1. Executive Summary: Aerie Tech. College

Aerie Tech. College operates a co-educational campus, with student residence on School ships, home ported at Slipway Marina Resort, Mannum.

Program Overview:

The college utilizes the Residential Vessel TS Cocoon to deliver a 10-week Foundational Reset Intervention, which serves as the enrolment entry point for students. This program is designed to re-engage students and prevent education attrition by facilitating a successful transition to an appropriate learning pathway. The final decision regarding full college campus enrolment is made upon completion of this intensive 'reset' term.

Target Students & Referrals:

This structured, short-term intervention welcomes young adults (typically Senior School age, Years 10-12) experiencing significant socio-emotional and behavioural challenges, including school disengagement, peer conflict, and behavioural issues. We accept referrals from educational bodies, law enforcement, and the Juvenile Justice System. The program emphasizes the therapeutic benefit of a supportive and focused environment, away from adverse environmental pressures.

Curriculum and Residence:-

Students reside in dedicated teacher supervised residential vessels in teams of 16, which is integral to fostering collaborative teamwork and supportive partnerships. Students continue their high school education while participating in a curriculum that integrates river tourism industry learning and the development of essential life and employment skills. A core component of the residential learning program is the focus on group living, nutrition, and cookery skills to build practical independence.

2. "Time Out" school camps on TS Cocoon school ship

The Aerie Tech. "Time Out" program utilizes the unique setting of a river schoolship to focus on personal growth and academic continuity. The School ships are operated by Avoca trust DGR.

A. Core entry program Components

Vessel Resident Capacity: The river schoolship "TS Cocoon" has 16 student berths on main deck and is staffed by two full-time, specially trained teachers. There are adult cabins for staff and visitors, top deck.
Duration: The intensive start program runs for one fulltime residential cruise term (approximately 10 weeks).
Focus: The curriculum combines maintenance of essential SACE subjects with specialized Environmental Adventure Challenge Studies focused on the ecology, conservation of the Murray-Darling River and remediation of mental health.
Student Enrolment: Students will be enrolled in the Aerie Tech. Slipway marina, Mannum to comply with education law. The Aerie "Time Out" cruise camp is the entry to Aerie tech. College. Aerie teachers in charge of the Cruise Camp ensure continuity of their basic SACE program and introduce shared residential and partnerships living skills .
Activities: The structured schedule includes supervised kayaking (for exercise and reflection), group team-building exercises, and competency development in areas like food preparation and healthy adult living skills.

B. Therapeutic Approach

The program is managed by specialist teachers to help students recover stability and re-engage positively.
Technology Management: Students’ mobile phones are managed by teachers and are available only with permission for essential communication, minimizing distraction and addressing the problem of isolation exacerbated by constant mobile use. Laptop computers are part of student learning kit.
The Logbook: Each student is required to maintain a personal daily Log summary of their time and thoughts. This log is private and confidential between the student and the Avoca teacher/mentor. Disclosure to parents is solely at the student's discretion.

"Time Out" on "TS Cocoon" schoolship to rethink their future

Aerie Tech. school and residence fees are paid by DGR gifts

Seed capital for new school is available from SAFA. School Building Fund.

$4M+ is needed from new School Fund to purchase and renovate the Mannum marina as a new tech high.

The Mannum Slipway marina is proposed as the site for the new Aerie Tech. high school.

Mannum Councillors hold the power of project approval.

New schools funding is available from SAFA.

Judge of the Youth Court has influence for this proposal.

This project, proposed as an alternative supervised residential, is much lower cost per student than Cavan.

$4M+ is needed from new School Fund to purchase and renovate the Mannum marina as a new tech high.

The long established Mannum riverboat moorings and slipway property is the ideal location for our proposed Aerie Tech. College. Funds to purchase the site and renovate houseboats for student hostel accommodation expected from SAFA new school establishment loan.

Residential living is not a permitted use of the marina.

(To be tested at school registration - Riverboats are required as residential School ships with registered moorings at marine riverfront. Student Hostels from School fund?)

$400,000? Avoca DGR Env. fund. Purchase & refit School ship "Cocoon" with 16 student bunks.

$600,000? Avoca DGR Env. fund. Purchase School ship TS Mundoo. Income & Training functions catering

"TS Cocoon"

Provides "Time Out" transition help for 16 teens each term to change to safe reliable young adults.

$600,000? Avoca DGR Env. fund. Purchase School ship TS Mundoo. Income & Training functions catering

TS Mundoo. Advanced VET Functions and Catering skills. 16 Avoca senior students travel with Mundoo to cater for large events anywhere on the river.

"Mundoo" is their team home.

3. "Time out" Full time river cruising starts Aerie Tech.

The start program, referred to as "Time Out School Camp" utilizes the unique setting of a river schoolship to facilitate personal growth and continuous learning. The remote isolation of the remote river cruise provides the complete "Change" needed for all forms of time out. No fences or lock gates, just water and close skilled teachers, full time residential supervision.

*** Enrolment:- Individual student enrolment is accepted from any school at the start of any term. Continuation with Aerie Tech. is an option that will be offered by Principal in discussion with student AND responsible adults at the end of time out.

A. Judicial Referral

The Avoca residential College and Schoolship Student Hostel Program is also proposed to the SA Youth Court as a therapeutic and rehabilitative option for young people, off track, and requiring a significant intervention outside their current environment.

B. School and Parent/Guardian Engagement

Referral: Individual teachers or school counsellors may advise parents of this opportunity as a solution for a student's ongoing disengagement or mental health issues related to either home or school bully programs.
Responsible adult Decision: The decision to enrol a child in a school is ultimately made by adults. Parents or guardians have the right to change school for their child. Not all schools are in the best interest of the child. The start with Aerie College is a first term reset in preparation for their new learning and supported living style.
Team Building: Students meet and collaborate with other adolescents facing similar challenges, fostering a positive, mutually supportive peer group.

C. Key Outcomes from "Time Out" entry term

The "Time Out" school camp cruise program is designed to produce young adults with:

Enhanced Mental Well-being and Confidence: Recovery from depression and misery, leading to greater mental stability and self-belief.
Positive Life Skills: Competency in healthy adult living, food/cooking, and balancing work, rest, and recreation.
Social and Partnership Skills: Strong group team skills and the ability to form positive relationships.
Educational Re-engagement: A "reboot" of their thinking, leading to a renewed positive path toward their future and continued SACE studies.

D. Continuation with Aerie Tech is a round table decision,

Decision Meeting with Aerie Principal (Student, Parent, Responsible adult) within two weeks of end of Time Out.

All gifts to Avoca Trust & Aerie College are 100% Tax deduct

Avoca Trust School Ship Hostels: Help Teens Find Hope

Avoca Trust Gift, Funds School ships (Environmental trust DGR (ABN 99 331 854 148 "Education about and conservation of the Murray Darling river basin") the establishment, operations and maintenance of the Avoca residential school ships, the full time residential home for Aerie Tech. Students.

Aerie College school (a Registered Name of Charity ANCOM ON MURRAY INC.) is the proposed registered senior Tech. high school based at Mannum Slipway marina.

Aerie School building fund DGR purchases and renovates the marina property to school safety standard with Aerie School building fund DGR (ABN 58 742 996 740)

Avoca College School Ship TS Cocoon runs 10-week wilderness river cruising entry programs that provides a vital, professionally supported "Time Out" school camp for older teenagers battling depression and misery, usually caused by school problems. Any teen from any school can enrol in the "Time out Camp"

This program isn't just a trip; it's a life-saving intervention that delivers with Change of school, to the Residential Aerie college, based at Mannum Marina.

DGR "Time out" school camp Curriculum: "Education about and conservation of the Murray Darling river basin"
Mental Reset: Expert guidance to help teens change damaging thought patterns.
Lasting Bonds: The creation of strong, inseparable friendships.
Lifelong Support: An essential, peer-led support network to guide them toward a successful, happier adult future.
Next continuing normal school terms with Aerie College:

- Resident on school ships, based at Mannum Slipway

- Theory classes wherever, meeting with teacher

- Technical skills on Slipway workshops and while operating school ships

- Cruising the Murray river in SA.

Every donation directly funds a place for a struggling teen.

Your Gift Matters: We provide a critical, positive path for young people who are at a breaking point. With your help, we can reach more kids and provide this life-changing opportunity in 2026.
Please donate and make an immediate, tangible difference in a teen's future.
To chat, Phone Trustee, Avoca Trust, Capt. Bouc 0418 836 137

Phone Capt. Bouc 0418 836 137 to make, and and receive DGR tax receipt for your gift donation.

A. Sponsorship and Donations are all DGR tax deductions.

Capitalisation and all recurrent expenses for the schoolship operation and student support are paid via DGR tax-deductible donations to the DGR Senior High school, Environmental Education and training program.

Student Berth Sponsorship:-

DGR Donation $40,000 funds capital cost of one residential berth on a school ship
Naming rights for one student berth (tax claimed over 4 years as a capital donation).
Donor name displayed on the bed

One Bed-night Sponsorship:-

DGR Donation $110.00
Name listed on the donor list, acknowledging the number of bed nights sponsored.

Community Member Resort and Residential Cruise boat marina:-

All sponsors are welcome to cruise with our staff team using an adult berth.
Cruising members donate the cost of this fare and claim the receipt on their tax.
Members can donate to the DGR Trust for the licence to occupy right to moor their river boats at the marina resort.

B. Aerie College will purchase Mannum Slipway Marina property as school and student hostel ship moorings.

The Aerie College will host the Avoca River Cruise Club at Mannum Slipway Marina.

The Avoca River Cruise Club is a separate community entity that will lease space in the school Marina, support the Avoca DGR Trust's mission and the registered school facilities on the Marina Resort land.

Families interested in Murray River conservation and cruising are invited to join the Avoca River Cruise Club, moor their residential houseboats at the School Marina and help care for the environment of the Murray River in partnership with the school.

Avoca Club membership fees will be by Tax deductible gift to Avoca Trust DGR tax-deductible gift recipient.

Gifts and participation will help develop the Marina site as a community resort and houseboat moorings with the Mannum Slipway and workshops base to support Community club activities and school hostel ship program.

I will certainly welcome any comments about this proposal.

Send your comments and phone number by email to:

Principal and Trustee of the Avoca Trust capt.bouc@gmail.com or Phone me 0418 836 137 Bouc

C. Aerie College will continue and enhance existing marina services as education, training and Avoca community club facilities.

State Government provides new School SAFA loan funding to purchase new school property and buildings. The Avoca College meeting and workshop spaces will also be available for supportive community learning and social activities to enhance the college community club, designed to help the students find future employment.

This site will require substantial renovation, including sewage treatment plant with connections for residential houseboats, for planning approval us as a Special Assistance High school and home port for students residential houseboats.

The Avoca College Marina resort will host and maintain safety management of member's residential houseboats and a range of club activities as part of the College education and training programs. There is potential for the Aerie College to help Council manage and crew its historic riverboats.

Avoca Trust DGR schoolship programs to help teens

Admin: 76 Frogmore Road, Kidman Park South Australia 5025, Australia

Email:- Capt.bouc@gmail.com Phone: 0418 836 137