INDUCTION CAMP

“Left, right, left, right, left, right, left”. The welcoming sounds of the Staff at the Induction camp for the Services Academies. “Keep still, don’t move!” Yet more emphasis on the fundamentals needed for a successful year in this programme. Discipline. From the 21st to the 26th of March, James Cook High School Services Academy, along with four other Academies from Auckland and Northland, attended the Basic Induction camp at Hobsonville Youth Development Unit. An intense Six day challenge that had our rangatahi focusing on military led activities. This course is essential in helping establish the fundamental building blocks that all students will adhere to during the coming year. Blocks such as discipline, mental fortitude, attitude and the core values of the Defence Force, courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity. It appears that some of our students weren’t even sure at what 0530hours was until this week. Even more of a shock was the 0330 start to the “Longest day” which saw all participants carrying a log and a 40 gallon drum around a cross country course at 0430hours finishing with a mud run at 1800hours with activities and challenges throughout the other 13 or so hours. Through this, our Academy experienced and gained knowledge about one another that cannot be gained from everyday life at school. Lows were experienced as the fatigue factor set in; however, to counter this, highs were also experienced. One such high was the naming of James Cook Services Academy winning the regimental trophy for drill at the graduation parade. I applaud the effort our young men and women produced throughout this camp. Now the hard work starts. From here recruiters have been invited in and as an Academy we will be looking at piecing together all the necessary documents to apply for the forces of their choice. Working alongside the families our goals will become even more achievable. I look forward to our whanau evening in early term two to show the families what we have achieved so far this year and to help pave the way forward the Academy and all who come under its umbrella. “When fatigue sets in, Training can begin” Naku Noa Christopher Treacher