"Time out" TS Aerie cruise to rethink their future.

Imagine your brain as a magnificent, built-in computer. Just like any computer, it can get overwhelmed and cluttered, especially during the chaotic early high school years, filling with useless data and "garbage" from negative experiences. The solution? A "Time Out" – a chance to "turn it off" and restart, before permanent damage occurs. While many successfully use a traditional "Gap Year" for this reset before university, some young people need this essential "cleaning process" much earlier.

Aerie "Time Out" is designed precisely for this earlier reboot. We help young brains achieve this crucial restart. Think of it as a brief microsecond "turn off," followed by a restart and a reload of new, positive data. This happens over a ten-week "Time Out" river cruise, completely remote from any previous negative influences that might try to "worm" their way back in. Your brilliant machine needs this dedicated time for its "cleaning process" during the first Aerie term.

At Aerie, your only physical luggage is your backpack and swag – there's no room for unnecessary "stuff." Similarly, we help you shed the unnecessary mental clutter during your "Time Out." You'll have the space to absorb the river's quiet calm, search for majestic Sea Eagle nests along the Murray, and engage in meaningful conversations. You'll build partnerships, learn new skills, make music, and cultivate happy thoughts, far from the distractions of the past.

Our school ship, "TS Aerie," is a large-capacity, backpacker-style river Murray cruise boat. It provides swag sleeping spaces for 16 students, along with ablutions, a kitchen, and a dining lounge on the main deck, and staff cabins on the top deck.

Your Aerie journey begins with Week 1: Planning at berth, Mannum, for the "Time Out" voyage of the good ship "TS Aerie."

During this foundational week, you will:

• Minimalist Packing: Ensure all your essential belongings fit into your backpack: 
  • Backpack and waterproof swag/sleeping bag.
  • Two sets of clothes and a rain/wind jacket.
  • Your laptop computer (we can provide one to purchase over time if needed).
  • No other luggage. Your phone stays with the teacher; it can be provided for good reason upon request.
• Campus Immersion: Spend the first week at Aerie Marina Resort to get everything organised.
• Safety First: Participate in comprehensive Risk Assessment training.
• Kayaking Skills: Dedicate at least two hours daily to kayaking with your partner to build essential skills.
• Personal Reflection: Maintain a personal Log of your time using our Aerie log format template.
• Team Contribution: Attend to your rostered tasks to the best of your ability, asking for help if you're unsure.
• Positive Environment: 
  • Be kind to everyone, especially the teachers, who have a very challenging job.
  • Vent any anger on the river water, but always ensure your teachers are aware.
  • Take care of your partner, your teammates, and especially your teachers – you might need them.

While officially "At School," Aerie blends coursework with a unique residential experience. Teachers supervise daily work and all time schedules.

A typical evening onboard includes:

• 6:00 PM: Dinner, with a rostered team contributing to preparation.
• 7:00 PM: Performance Time! Every evening except Sunday is dedicated to creative expression. Bring your instrument (even a plastic bucket will do!), or simply use your voice to sing, tell a story, or read a poem.
• 9:30 PM: Choir Time – we all sing together to end the evening on a harmonious note.
• 9:45 PM: Personal Log time in your personal space for reflection.
• 10:00 PM: BED, silence, sleep. (Phones remain with teachers).

The end of the first term culminates in a tidy ship and a marina campus party – marking the successful completion of your brain's reboot!

Parents are welcome to accompany the voyage in their own boats, provided they do not disrupt the crucial work of our teachers with the students. Captain Bouc is always available for private discussions about our philosophy and methods.

Our highly experienced teachers are dedicated to safely guiding these bright young people through their "fledgling" SACE years, ensuring they emerge as confident, independent adults.

a. Aerie partners and teams good living rules  -  Issues of Respect and Consent 

b. Orientation to the College area of operations and swag sleeping spaces

c. Managing our safe home,  close living lifestyle. and how to stay friends.

d. Food, planning, purchase, preparation  (Qualification skills)  A

e. Provide first aid  (Qualification skills)  A

 f. Amazing things about the Murray Darling Basin (research skills)  A

g. Swimming and Kayaking training every morning (Qualification skills development)

h. Daily Log

a. Food, planning, purchase, preparation  (Qualification skills) A

b. Risk Assessment (Water focus - boats & swimming)  (Qualification skills)  A

c. Food, planning, purchase, preparation for cruise  (Qualification skills)  A

d. Boat skills, boat licence, Coxswain 3NC Certificate  (Qualification skills)  A

e. Swimming and Kayaking training  (Qualification skills)v A

f. Daily Log

a. Human Physiology - how our amazing machine is created and works. ORAL  A

b. Sexual Health reason and care  A

c. Why eat? - food planning & preparation ORAL  A

d. Why Sleep? - our brain must refresh or reboot for 8 hours every 24 hours ORAL  A

e. Why Exercise? - must work to stay strong ORAL  A

 f. Swimming and Kayaking training - every day exercise

g, Daily Log

a. Character & Identity

b. Mental Health Hygiene

c. Cognitive Distortions & How to Correct Them

d. Swimming and Kayaking training

e. Daily Log

a. Healthy Relationships being good partners ORAL  A

b. Issues of Respect and Consent ORAL  A

c. Importance of Teamwork  ORAL  A

d. Conflict resolution  (Qualification skills)  ORAL  A

e. Caring for others  ORAL  A

f. Swimming and Kayaking training

g. Daily Log

a. Belief (Concepts of Creation) wonder.

b. Values for good living

c. Spirituality

d. Mindfulness

e. Gratitude, Compassion, Humility, Giving

f. Swimming and Kayaking training continues

g. Sunday task - Write a brief summary of your thoughts after last weeks classes.

h. Daily Log

a.  Health & Safety at all ANCOM Campuses & Adventures - Prepare a safety assessment for a kayak trip.  A 

b.  Advanced First Aid Training including Oxygen  (Qualification skills) Practical A

c.  Cyber Safety

d. Swimming and Kayaking training

e. Daily Log

a. Risk Assessment and setting up emergency plans. Joint risk sheet required for trip

b. Planning overnight kayak expedition in partnership. Joint general plan sheet required.

c. Kayaking Overnight Swag Camp - individual swags -  with partner only

d. Remember, not into each other. Stay close to feel warm and safe.

e. Daily Log

a. RLSSSA Pool lifeguard certificate  (Qualification skills) a

b. Aerie attachment, Lifeguarding from a boat  (Qualification skills) 

c. Return to home base resort. Tidy ship. - Sleep onboard, eat in the Resort Hall.

a. Review and complete your Adventure log. Tidy your sketches. Make a cover. 

b. Party time catering & Planning Aerie Resort Dining Hall

c. Big Celebration– Invite Parents & Friends – accept your eagle feather

Go home for holidays and think about  - "Stay" or "Leave"

The Aerie "Time out" experience and the ongoing lifestyle will be a big change for the child. Both the College Principal and the Parents need to be sure the Aerie lifestyle pathway will be good for each young person.

If the decision is STAY, the 24/7 Aerie Resort lifestyle applies for all students. The expectation is to at least complete the SACE certificate with Aerie College as a symbol of achievement. It is just a feather to be framed and hung on the wall, to be proud of, a sign of an important step forward, end of schooling, Training & adult education comes next.

Aerie offers the option is to continue residence with Aerie, on share houseboats parked near TAFE  for attendance at VET training, eg Berri or Murray Bridge TAFE. 

This option is only available to, experienced Aerie Students. Aerie Boat residence rules apply.