Cruising on with Aerie College Adventure learning.

 After successfully completing their "Time Out" term, the Aerie students are ready to advance their educational journey at Aerie College. We offer a distinctive learning environment designed to nurture personal growth, academic achievement, and practical life skills. 

 We understand that a new educational environment needs to be the right fit for both the student and Aerie College. That's why we offer a "Come and Try" first term for all prospective students. This allows everyone to make an informed enrolment decision. 

 Our unique Aerie College "Time Out" Cruise is a complete change of lifestyle, specifically designed to reset a teen's mental health. It aims to remove them from unhappy school environments, and sometimes even their family home, to allow for a period of calm and re-evaluation. Our 10-week "Time Out" River cruise provides this transformative experience, smoothing their feathers and putting them back on track for a happy, productive future. Parents with boats can even tag along and join in when appropriate. The students reside on "TS Aerie" for the full learning program. We welcome parent help but ask that it doesn't interfere with the structured program. Our Aerie teachers are skilled in nurturing both "eaglets" and "doves" – a metaphor for children who push limits and those who are more compliant. 

 We believe in fostering strong connections between students and their families. Families can stay connected by joining the private Aerie Marina Resort Club. This exclusive membership provides opportunities for families to engage with the Aerie community and their children's educational experience. 

 Some subjects are taught on our campus, ideally situated with our team boats moored in the Aerie marina. This allows for a blend of traditional and experiential learning. 

 Students can choose to live in the college boats as part of a supervised team. Alternatively, families can moor their own boat in our secure Club Marina, allowing their children to live on board with friends under the supervision of our experienced Boat Master Teacher while completing their studies. This flexible arrangement can leverage family vacation assets and introduces students to safe small boat living, guided by College Boat Master rules. 

Aerie College focuses on repairing gaps in foundational knowledge and then progressing to SACE essentials and vital community service subjects. Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for a wide range of future pathways, including:

• Tourism
• Adventure Guiding
• Hospitality
• Cookery
• Care Services
• Nursing, and more.

Teens who commit to our program will not only achieve their SACE but also gain valuable life skills and enjoy their learning experience. Essential SACE skills, good living practices, and basic food skills are integrated into our boat care curriculum, providing hands-on learning. We also prioritize physical well-being, with dedicated time for kayaking as essential physical exercise. More advanced cookery and other technical skills are taught when our school ships are at the marina campus.

 Parents feel constrained by the structure of large government high schools, often perceived as "student factories" designed for mass education. These environments, while mandatory for children up to 17 years old, can sometimes lead to distress, depression, and a sense of entrapment for students who don't thrive in such settings.

While parents cannot alter the structure of these large institutions, they can choose a more suitable educational environment for their child.

 Fortunately, past governments recognized the importance of "Private Schools" and provide some funding to support diverse educational needs. Aerie College aims to bridge financial gaps with our low-cost living style learning.

As an independent Special Assistance school, Aerie College has the unique ability to accept or refuse enrolment applications. Crucially, we can claim special financial assistance for children with special needs, helping to protect family finances. Our Principal exercises the right to selective enrolment and, if necessary, permanent dismissal for unacceptable behavior, operating on a clear "three strikes" policy to protect our community

 Disability is not a barrier to enrolment at Aerie College. Students with disabilities will always be supported by their student team, as all our students are trained to assist individuals with various disabilities. As a special assistance school, we also receive extra government finance for students with special needs assistance. This commitment to inclusivity provides valuable skills for all our students, potentially opening up future employment opportunities in care services. 

 Family participation in Aerie College events is vital for a child's education and well-being. We actively encourage family membership and participation in our resort community.

If, after the "Time Out" term, a family decides to stay with Aerie, they are encouraged to become active community members, visiting the college marina resort and the boats when possible. We are happy to moor family boats in our marina. While parental participation is welcomed, it's important to note that teachers maintain control over student activities to ensure a fair and consistent learning environment. Risk assessment is an early and essential subject for our students. The Principal is always available to discuss any parental concern

 Private boarding school for senior high years (15+) has a long tradition for many families. Wise parents recognize the importance of "fledging time" – allowing youth to gain independence. Many older teens take a "Gap Year" after high school for similar reasons: to find their own path.

For some disrupted teens, those Aerie College can help most, this "Time Out" is needed earlier in their school life to change their trajectory. Aerie College provides this crucial "Fledging Time" for two years or more if needed, for families with school-age teens who desire or require a break from their current school or home environment. This concept aligns with the "Compulsory National Service" found in some nations, which exposes young people to a wide range of community services.

 Children who push boundaries, often very clever, are potential dropouts or school refusers. These "wild young birds" seek a different life path, and their struggles can lead to:

• Conflict at home and school.
• Anger in the "eaglets."
• Depression in the compliant ones, the "squabs."

Even seemingly "perfect" or overly compliant children, who may be "sleepers" not engaging in challenging learning, can benefit from a gentle "push out of the nest" to Aerie College. While this change might initially cause anger, it can provide an essential life lesson.

 The law mandates school attendance until age 17. The crucial question for every parent is: "Is your child gaining happy confidence at their current school?"

If your child is miserable or withdrawn, we urge you to consider an alternative before they reach a point of despair. Strong children who are unhappy often cause conflict in unsuitable schools. When forced to attend these schools, and with adults making the decisions, teens can fall into depression due to a perceived lack of control.

Traditional school classrooms can foster "chicken shed" conflict, where angry and depressed students desire to escape the "cage" of school or home, often due to bullying or ineffective teaching. Just as "free-range chickens produce better eggs," Aerie College offers a free-range approach. While some "wild young chicks" might jump out too soon and stumble, they need gentle guidance. The quiet "doves," unable to see a way out, can fall into depression and consider suicide – they too need a different path.

The current large State Schools have a dropout rate of 24% and rising. While some smart kids know how to escape, they may not know how to access suitable private education and might fall into less desirable groups.

 Aerie College recognizes the need for positive "gangs" and "adventure excitement," integrated into our SACE program.

Unhappy children struggling in large, inflexible school environments need a change. While government policies may prioritize cost-cutting by increasing school sizes, this comes at a risk to our children.

While governments may focus on STEM for a future in defense industries, Aerie College understands that society also critically needs care workers, doctors, nurses, educators, musicians, and dancers. Perhaps these are your child's true calling.

Some children think differently but struggle to change within their family home, leading to depression or thoughts of suicide due to a perceived lack of options. Aerie College can provide the environment for them to repair their mental wings and fly. Most will return to their families as mature young adults.

Time is critical for your teens; their growth cannot wait. Aerie College can transform their mental health through our "Time Out" program.

 Changing to Aerie College offers small, nimble teams that can be the transformative experience your child needs. Aerie Residential College is a safe refuge in the wilderness, located on the River Murray, away from stressors. Our program involves swag camp cruising and kayaking, with skilled outdoor teachers who deliver curriculum requirements and provide ample time for conversations to help disrupted teens reset their flight path.

Our "free-range chickens" at Aerie College, away from the large school "chicken shed," are happier, more productive, and achieve better results. They will return to their families as competent young adults.

The Aerie College Community encourages parents to join our community and enjoy the river wilderness with their children when they can. The river has a calming effect, and our program emphasizes water safety, including swimming, life jackets, CPR, and first aid skills. We utilize a fast safety escort boat for all kayaking events and residential school ships as a home base for swag camping, catering, and cruising, providing a safe space for reset and rejuvenation.

 For Teachers: We encourage you to recommend students to Aerie College for help. This provides a solution for challenging students and can alleviate classroom disruption. Teachers, you are also welcome to spend time with us. Many teachers are leaving state schools, and those who remain may find themselves focused on discipline rather than exciting learning. We welcome experienced teachers to join us and teach according to their own passion, as all learning benefits our students.

 For Parents: We encourage you to ask your child's teacher to nominate your child to Aerie College for help. This can provide your child with an escape from school agony and reduce parent-child conflict. Teachers are often aware of student problems they cannot resolve within the public school system, where they must accept all children.

Parents are welcome to tag along in their own boat for part or all of the 10-week "Time Out" cruise. They can participate in activities but must adhere to Aerie College rules. Families can leave at any time; the "Time Out" is a "come and try" school camp event, not a formal enrolment. Principal, Capt. Bouc, will be present for most of the cruise and welcomes discussion.

 Fortunately, past governments recognized the importance of "Private Schools" and provide some funding to support diverse educational needs. Aerie College aims to bridge financial gaps with our low-cost living style learning.

As an independent Special Assistance school, Aerie College has the unique ability to accept or refuse enrolment applications. 

Crucially, we can claim special financial assistance for children with special needs, helping to protect family finances. Our Principal exercises the right to selective enrolment and, if necessary, permanent dismissal for unacceptable behavior, operating on a clear "three strikes" policy to protect our community

 Disability is not a barrier to enrolment at Aerie College. Students with disabilities will always be supported by their student team, as all our students are trained to assist individuals with various disabilities. As a special assistance school, we also receive extra government finance for students with special needs assistance. This commitment to inclusivity provides valuable skills for all our students, potentially opening up future employment opportunities in care services. 

 Family participation in Aerie College events is vital for a child's education and well-being. We actively encourage family membership and participation in our resort community.

If, after the "Time Out" term, a family decides to stay with Aerie, they are encouraged to become active community members, visiting the college marina resort and the boats when possible. We are happy to moor family boats in our marina. While parental participation is welcomed, it's important to note that teachers maintain control over student activities to ensure a fair and consistent learning environment. Risk assessment is an early and essential subject for our students. The Principal is always available to discuss any parental concern