Remote River Wilderness reduces mental stress.
Aerie Tech. (teens 15-17) resident on "Ts Cocoon".
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 "Ts Aerie" our dynamic River Murray Training ship to navigate their complex transition to adult.
Depression leads to misery .... We can create CHANGE.
School and class group stresses can causes practical teen misery.
24% dropout in senior high schools.
Law says they must stay in school
Aerie River Tech College training 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 family conflict.
Single student enrolment can be advised by home school counsellor.
SACE "school" subjects in Time out are supervised by home high school.
- 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 behaviour 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.
Timeout "Change" Reset on "Ts Cocoon"
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
Home Battle ground:- conflict, retreat, misery, suicide?
River "Time Out" change program defuses the family & school conflict.
It provides a mental reboot for the maturing child.
A one term school camp cruise with skilled teachers on the Murray.
Then discussion decision, Stay or leave.
If stay.
- Meet new people. Specialist teachers help with your rethink.
- Real-World Connection: Life on a training 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 with Aerie Tech on the Murray.
This Slipway and moorings property adjoins the Mannum Ferry
Aerie Tech campus, slipway, skills workshops, & moorings
This Mannum slipway property has been for sale for some time. It is ideal as an "Existing Business Purchase" for Tech College students training. Aerie Tech will continuing the existing long standing commercial slipway, workshops and boat moorings business. School ships will visit for short period lesson times.
In Wildness is found adventure and good metal health.
Staying on with Aerie School-ship helps teens 15-17 change their lifestyle and thinking.
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 and can extend into the State Submarine project.
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 Aerie future.
1. Addressing the Skills Gap with Aerie Tech
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 Training Ships
Traditional classrooms often fail students aged 15–17 who require more intensive support.
- Residential Training 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 Tug provides towing capabilities to bring vessels back to the slipway for student repair work.
- Accessibility Government Tech College support ensures the program remains affordable for less affluent families.
Key Benefits to the Community - Improving teen mental health
- 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 maintenance.
- For Youth: Creating a considered future plan, team building skills and a transition from isolation to a high-demand career path in shipbuilding and tourism.
Reimagining learning 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 "Training ship"
Other nations have successfully implemented "Training Ships" as viable educational institutions. South Australia should follow suit by:
- Formally recognizing Training Ships as educational environments.
- Funding these programs with the same status as a Technical College.
River Murray School-ships support adventure learning.
$400,000 Tech Training ship "Ts Time Out" ...... to host 16 students + 8 Adults
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
"TS Aerie" 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.
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
"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.
$200,000 "Ts Tug" powerful fleet safety boat ..... 10 pax
Student business experience:- $600,000 Functions contractor and hospitality training "Ts Mundoo"
$200,000 "Ts Tug" powerful fleet safety boat ..... 10 pax
"Ts Tug" A powerful twin engine safety boat. Capacity 10 people. Will be used for Recreational Boat Licence training, flotilla safety boat and available for emergency river rescue.
We also do Boat Licence training on Ts Tug.