Tikipunga Services Academy old and newly recruited students had the privilege of embarking on a New Zealand Defence Force run Bushcraft Survival course with personnel from the Army/Navy/Airforce. The course was located in the Kaipara Region making it a suitable place to test individual recruits as well as team efforts against the elements with various other schools from around parts of New Zealand. This included Kelston Boys High, St Pauls College, Huntly College, Otahuhu College and Tangaroa College.
The students approached the course with keen enthusiasm and willingness to learn. They also learnt a new set of skills through intense physical and mental group and individual activities such as Advanced Navigation, First Aid, Tracking, Traps and Snares, Camouflage and Concealment, Water catchment, Tramping, Fire lighting, How to cook a ration pack, Build a makeshift shelter using only natural material. In addition, students slept in their makeshift shelter overnight. The Tikipunga Service Academy students stood above the rest in regards to self-discipline, personal development and drive which was easily seen by NZDF staff as well as other school directors.
This was an awesome start for our rangatahi. Keep going team. ONWARD, Staff Makara