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TS Aerie: A 10-Week "Reboot" on the Murray River. Individual enrolment.
Reconnect. Refocus. Restart.
Just as the young Murray Valley Sea Eagle must eventually leave the nest to find its strength, every teenager reaches a point where they need to spread their wings.
With School Ship TS Aerie, we provide a "Time Out" for students aged 15–17—a chance to step away from the noise of modern life and undergo a natural transformation. Like a caterpillar in a cocoon, our students enter a protected, secure environment to emerge stronger, clearer, and ready for the future.
Is your teenager feeling lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected?
Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to step away.
Why Choose a "Time Out" Term?
Traditional schooling doesn’t fit everyone. We provide a "brain reboot" for students navigating:
- Persistent Unhappiness: Feeling "stuck" or overwhelmed by daily life.
- School Struggles: Issues with bullying, teacher conflict, or a lack of interest in the classroom.
- Life Transitions: Processing family changes or personal challenges in a safe space.
- A Desire for Adventure: Trading four walls for the wilderness and self-reliance.
The Experience: Life Aboard the TS Aerie
This is not a holiday—it is a full-time, cruising school ship. For 10 weeks, 16 students live "backpacker style" as they navigate the Murray River.
- The Crew: A mixed-gender group of 16 peers, guided by highly skilled teachers.
- The Environment: Living out of a swag and backpack, learning that you need very little to achieve a lot.
- The Mission: To clear the mental fog, find a sense of calm, and plan for the future with a fresh perspective.
A Typical Day on the Water
- 6:00 am Morning wash or river swim
- 8:00 am Community Breakfast
- 9:00 am Day Program: Coursework, Kayaking (2hrs daily), and Navigation
- 6:00 pm Dinner (Team-prepared on roster)
- 7:00 pm Performance Time: Music, storytelling, and creative expression
- 9:30 pm Choir: Group singing to end the day in harmony
- 9:45 pm Personal Log: Reflection and journaling
- 10:00 pm Lights out / Silence
The "Radical Minimalism" Approach
To help students focus on their internal growth, we strip away external distractions.
- Digital Detox: Phones are handed to teachers. This break from social media is proven to assist mental health and encourage face-to-face connection.
- Essential Packing: Everything you need must fit in one backpack. Two sets of clothes, a rain jacket, a laptop for schoolwork, and a sleeping bag.
- The First Week: Spent at our Avoca home base for intensive safety, kayaking, and risk-assessment training.
How to Enrol
We work in partnership with your teenager's current school to ensure their education continues seamlessly.
- Talk to the School: Speak with your School Counsellor to coordinate the academic work your student will complete on board.
- Contact Capt. Bouc: Call 0418 836 137 to discuss enrolment and check berth availability for next term.
- The Time Out Log: Students maintain a daily academic and personal journal to track their growth and progress.
A Note for Families: Our mission is to return a confident, independent young adult to your home. Families with their own boats are welcome to cruise nearby, provided they respect the student-teacher dynamic and the "crucial work" being done on board.
The journey concludes with a "Tidy Ship" inspection and a celebratory Marina Campus Party to mark your student’s successful reboot.