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A group of Hauraki Plains College students attended a two-week induction course at Trentham Military Camp on March 9 as part of a new leadership and life skills course at the school – The Services Academy Programme.
HPC Services Academy director Paul Dodds, who joined the students at the induction course, told The Profile the aim was to introduce students to the ethos and values of the Academy through military style methodology.
The course fostered teamwork, and helped set foundations for continued training, education and personal development, Paul said.
It prepared students by “putting them in an environment where there was nowhere to hide”, he said.
“It increases their comfort zone and taps into their inner self, so they become self motivated, thinking people, capable of setting their minds to something and achieving it.”
Year 12 students Reuben Dodunski and Sameera Hayes were two members of the Services Academy students who attended the induction course.
Sameera said the experience helped her as she wanted to join the police force one day, while Reuben said he wanted to get into the army next year.
After having a taste of what it would be like, Reuben said “I feel I could go into the army”.
Both students said they learnt basic marching and did a lot of physical fitness training to prepare for the course.
One of the activities the group had to do was a timed circuit of the assault course at Waiouru Army Camp, Reuben said.
“We had to get everyone through, so working together was huge.”
Some of their daily routines included marching to and from breakfast, lunch and dinner, which was around two kilometres altogether, and also their morning routine which consisted of a shower, beds made, rooms tidied and boots polished, they said.
“It made us appreciate what we have at home and what we take for granted.”
One stand out moment for the young cadets was when everything went “belly up”, they said.
A cue from Paul pulled them up and reminded them they were a team and needed each other to succeed, they said.
Effective communication and learning people’s strengths and weaknesses were some of the leadership skills Reuben said he developed.
Meanwhile, Sameera said she became a stronger person, and learned how to work better as a team.
“We made it together, pushing through all the challenges, building friendships and becoming closer as an academy,” Sameera said.
The young cadets said they were glad they joined the Services Academy.
If given the opportunity to attend the induction course again, Reuben and Sameera both said they would do it, and their advice for other students was the same.
“Do it! Take the opportunity, you will never know when you will get the chance to do it again.”
