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Dropout rate in SA senior schools is 25%...Change is needed.
The chalk board and old teachers are no longer capable of holding the smart ones and they retire early.
Most obedient teens remain.
The smart ones just walk out for more exciting adventures.
I can't do it
I want to die.
Avoca School ships on the Murray provide Change.
When a teenager disengages, the home often becomes a battlefield or a place of silence. We replace the "stuck" environment of a bedroom or a traditional classroom with a dynamic, working Murray River school ship learning about Conservation of the Murray Envrionment Wildness AND how to manage their change to adult.
Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, depression, suicide?
Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, depression, suicide?
Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, depression, suicide?
- The Digital Fog: Teens often retreat into screens, worsening isolation and depression.
- Academic Friction: The pressure of traditional school testing often leads to school refusal and a sense of "failure."
- Social Anxiety: Large school environments can feel overwhelming and judgmental for a struggling teen.
- The "Stuck" Cycle: Negative patterns of behavior and sleep are hard to break in the same four walls.
- Fear of the Future: Parents worry their child is "falling behind" and will never catch up.
Solution:- Avoca school-ships adventure challenge.
Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, depression, suicide?
Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, depression, suicide?
- Real-World Connection: Life on a school ship requires hands-on teamwork, physical movement, and face-to-face communication.
- Success Through Doing: We focus on practical SACE credits—hospitality, mechanics, and maritime skills—where success is visible and immediate.
- A Close-Knit Crew: Our small-group residential model fosters a sense of belonging and "shipmate" accountability that builds social confidence.
- The Circuit Breaker: 10 weeks on the Murray River provides a literal change of scenery, resetting sleep cycles and daily habits.
- A Path Forward: We don't just "pause" education; we pivot it toward independence, trade skills, and a renewed interest in life.
On education: "In Wildness is the preservation of the World"
The Avoca school ship reset is a 10-week "Time Out" to help depressed teens 15-17 change to happy.
For teenagers struggling with depression or a lack of direction, the path to recovery lies in rediscovering purpose and building practical resilience. Our program offers a clear trajectory toward a successful career in the maritime sector.
To keep older teenagers engaged in learning, we must move beyond the traditional classroom. For this age group, the "key" to retention isn't a desk—it’s a dynamic environment built on social connection, safety, and real-world application.
1. Addressing the Skills Gap
The Murray River’s recreational and commercial fleet is extensive, yet the industry faces two critical challenges:
- Aging Infrastructure: Most maintenance facilities in the SA Riverlands are outdated or closed.
- An Aging Workforce: Experienced tradespeople possess invaluable knowledge but often find the physical demands of the work challenging.
The Solution: Physically capable students from Aerie Tech College can learn directly from these veterans, providing the "heavy lifting" while absorbing decades of specialized expertise.
2. Strategic Opportunities in Morgan
The proposed government refit of the Morgan River Ferry facilities presents a unique "dual-function" opportunity.
- The Hub: New ferry maintenance workshops in Morgan can serve as a primary training ground.
- The Pipeline: With the Adelaide submarine project expected to increase river recreation, the demand for boat maintenance and shipbuilding skills is at an all-time high.
- The Location: Morgan is centrally located, making it a convenient "cruise-to" destination for houseboat maintenance from both up and down-river.
The Aerie Tech Model: Residential School Ships
Traditional classrooms often fail students aged 15–17 who require more intensive support.
- Residential School Ship model offers a controlled, immersive environment for complete student management.
- Mobile Campus Ships act as relocatable skills hubs for salvage and repair work anywhere on the Murray.
- Integrated Learning Curriculum covers river tourism, hospitality, and technical fabrication.
- Industry Support The Avoca Trust provides towing capabilities to bring vessels back to the slipway for student repair work.
- AccessibilityGovernment support ensures the program remains affordable for less affluent families.
Key Benefits to the Community
- For Boat Owners: Access to a motivated, supervised workforce for maintenance and "recreational boat helpers."
- For the Government: Efficient use of new ferry workshops to maintain public infrastructure while training entry-level workers.
- For Youth: A transition from isolation to a high-demand career path in shipbuilding and tourism.
Reimagining Education for "Wild" Teens (15–17)
The Core Pillars of Engagement
- A Foundation of Peer Support: Creating a safe "friendship base" where teens feel they belong.
- Practical Life Skills: Teaching essential safety and living skills for the modern world.
- Adventurous Learning: Using group adventures to build resilience and teamwork.
- Vocational Readiness: Developing the ability to collaborate effectively in professional task-based teams.
The Conflict: Classrooms vs. Reality
Traditional "classroom cages" fail to hold the interest of adventurous teens. When education feels like a restriction rather than an opportunity, students simply walk out.
The Legal & Financial Opportunity (South Australia)
- The Mandate: SA State Law requires youth to remain in an educational setting until age 18.
- The Funding: Under current law, the Government is responsible for funding "schooling" up to age 18—though the definition of "schooling" must evolve to meet modern needs.
The Solution: The "School ship"
Other nations have successfully implemented "School Ships" as viable educational institutions. South Australia should follow suit by:
- Formally recognizing School Ships as legitimate educational environments.
- Funding these programs with the same status as a Technical College.
Proposed Avoca School ships are needed for change.
T1/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug" Boat licence training, rescue boat & fleet tender.
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as Functions contractor and hospitality training platform.
T1/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug" Boat licence training, rescue boat & fleet tender.
"TS Tug" has immediate, viable, Boat Licence training work, Pt Adelaide.
Then we will relocate her to the Murray when we start the Schoolship operations as a youth training tow/salvage/tender to the college fleet.
T2/2026. $400,000 School ship "TS Aerie" to accommodate students for "Time Out"
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as Functions contractor and hospitality training platform.
T1/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug" Boat licence training, rescue boat & fleet tender.
"TS Aerie" First entry for one term reset, "Time Out"
16 teens who need different. Remote Residential transition each term will help those who need different learning, changing track to safe, happy, young adults.
"TS Aerie" with resident teachers & student crew.
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as Functions contractor and hospitality training platform.
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as Functions contractor and hospitality training platform.
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as Functions contractor and hospitality training platform.
"TS Mundoo". Advanced operations and Catering skills.
16 senior Aerie Tech students resident on Mundoo to develop catering skills, and relocating the ship for large events anywhere on the river.
"Mundoo" with resident Teachers & student crew.