Kaipara Lifestyler, February 1 2012

Page 1

LIFESTYLER

February 1 2012

Kaipara

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Students reach for the skies

Page 2

Going for gold

by Joanne Speechly

In a first for New Zealand education, Otamatea High School has established an Aviation Academy, to teach students aircraft construction as well as life skills.

The project is the brainchild of retired teacher, Paul Morrison, a hobby pilot who holds an aircraft engineering licence and an inspection authority to survey microlight aircraft. A building has been purpose built for the academy in the OHS grounds and the undertaking has received huge support.

Page 3

The great Food Bill debate

“There has been a huge amount of goodwill from individuals and businesses,” Paul said. “I am rapt with the support from local contractors and suppliers. To date we have raised roughly $45,000 worth of parts, equipment and tooling and the school is covering the balance. “We’ve hardly had to purchase any new equipment as I have most of the components myself.”

Paul Morrison and former OHS students with the Piper Cub they built between 2002 and 2004

The academy will be attended by Aviation Course students who undertake a three-year programme, during which they will build a replica Piper Cub aircraft and complete Level 1 and Level 2 Unit Standards in workshop safety and aircraft construction under the Industry Training Organisation.

repaying the school money back into the nest egg. I’ve made the commitment in the name of the academy to raise the funds and I will do this.” “I was head of department for 18 years at OHS and my philosophy in teaching is to make sure that the student’s curriculum, within a technology programme, provides a full skill base, as well as exam and theory requirements.

The course will also teach them life skills,” said Paul. “The academy is now seeking further sponsorship to start

“The Aviation Academy sets students up, so that when they come out of the programme they will be at the front of any employment queue. We can quote numerous cases of students who have applied for a job that wasn’t even vacant and been successful. “It doesn’t matter what type of work the students go into. They have been involved in a programme that creates integrity, a willingness to work as a team,

leadership and everything a person needs to be a good citizen and a very, very good employee.”

Page 7

Dargaville Skate Park revival

When he retired from OHS in 2006, Paul and his then students were four years into building a replica aircraft. He intended to complete it at home but students kept coming along to help. The aircraft was on show as part of the official launch of the new academy.

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