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"In Wildness is preservation of the world". Thoreau "Walden"
"Time Out" in wildness will help unhappy teens 15-17
When a teenager disengages, the home often alternates between a battlefield of conflict and a wall of silence. We break this cycle by moving the student out of the "misery" of a bedroom or a traditional classroom and onto "Time Out" our dynamic Murray River school ship to navigate their complex transition to adult.
Student misery:- We help them reset their thinking.
School and class group stresses can causes teen misery.
24% dropout in senior high schools.
Law says they must stay in school
Aerie Tech College school ships offer adventure "school" on the Murray.
I can't do it
I want to die.
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
Many Busy Families have Teen "Fledging" problems (Teens 15-17).
Avoca Schoolship "Time Out" can remove the conflict.
- 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 of home.
- Fear of the Future: Parents worry their child is "falling behind" and will never catch up.
- Time Out is a complete change that can be a circuit breaker. Different Teacher. Different friendships. A defined period.
Change to Avoca school-ships wildness "Time Out"
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
River "Time Out" change program is designed as a mental "Reboot"
A school camp term on an Avoca School ship. ... Then stay or leave.
- Meet new people. Specialist teachers help with rethink.
- 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.
In Wildness is the preservation of ---- Teen mental health
The 1 term "Time Out" on a school-ship cruise adventure helps teens 15-17 rethink their future
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 Murray River tourism industry.
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.
For simplicity the "Time Out" program operates as a school camp "Come and Try" with individual student enrolment arranged by parents or through home school student counsellor with Aerie, to arrange with the home school student counsellor. .... Family Conference follows to consider the student future.
1. Addressing the Skills Gap with Aerie College
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 veterans, providing the "heavy lifting" while absorbing decades of specialized expertise.
2. Strategic Opportunities in Mannum
Mannum is the major tourism industry focus for the Murray in SA
- The Slip: The long standing slipway & maintenance works serves as a primary training ground.
- The skills 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: Mannum is centrally located and close to Adelaide, 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 maintenance.
- Industry Support The Avoca Trust provides towing capabilities to bring vessels back to the slipway for student repair work.
- Accessibility Government 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 existing workshops to upskill youth to support a major tourism industry, and river waters maintanance.
- 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 "school" 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.
Murray School ships support adventure challenge learning.
Marketing:- Lease/purchase "PS Miralie" as a river Marketing platform.
T2/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug". Boat licence training, fleet safety boat.
T2/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug". Boat licence training, fleet safety boat.
"PS Miralie" is a very attractive paddle boat ideal for for attracting small group project marketing on the river.
College volunteers take the boat river cruising, marketing the College to the general public and encouraging people to talk to their Local Government member about funding the Aerie College Tech College and to attract enrolment.
T2/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug". Boat licence training, fleet safety boat.
T2/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug". Boat licence training, fleet safety boat.
T2/2026 (negotiating $) "TS Tug". Boat licence training, fleet safety boat.
"TS Tug" A powerful twin engine safety boat with capacity 10 people is used for Recreational Boat Licence training, flotilla safety boat and as it travels with the school ships, always available for emergency river rescue.
Schoolship operations as a youth training.
T2/2026. $400,000 School ship "TS Time Out" ...... hosts 16 students + 8 Adults
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as a Functions contractor and hospitality training platform
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as a Functions contractor and hospitality training platform
"TS Time Out" First entry for one term reset, hosts 16 teens double bunked on main deck + 6 staff up top in ensuite cabins.
Remote Residential transition each term will help those who need different learning, changing track to safe, happy, young adults.
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as a Functions contractor and hospitality training platform
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as a Functions contractor and hospitality training platform
Next:- $600,000 School ship "TS Mundoo" as a Functions contractor and hospitality training platform
"TS Mundoo". Advanced boat operations and catering skills.
2 resident Teachers + Master 4ILW
+ 16 senior Aerie Tech students. Resident on Mundoo to develop catering skills, and cruise relocating the ship to cater for large river events anywhere.