Fire programme ignites future youth
Fourteen students stood in front of an audience dressed in yellow fire suits, helmets and gloves.
After marching onto the scene, they showcased skills hey had learned throughout a five-day Youth Development Programme.
Co-ordinated by Hamilton Boys’ High School and the Waikato Area New Zealand Fire Service, the students were taught basic fire fighting skills by three instructors.
The participants were chosen from the high school’s 20/20 mentoring group, with the aim to develop a positive attitude, to improve confidence in pursuing challenges, to set and achieve goals, and to improve their ability to work in a team environment.
On September 23, the graduation was held at the Hamilton Station and programme manager Jess Johnson said it was a proud moment for not only the parents, but for her too.
The initiative is her brainchild, and it was the first time the graduation has been held at home in Hamilton.
‘‘We were overwhelmed at what the boys had become and what they’d achieved,’’ she said.
‘‘For us, if we can teach one boy something positive in life, then we’ve done something good here.’’
The initiative is in it’s forth year and included the group running up the Hakarimatas, participating in drill practice and working with fire extinguishers.
They also learned search and
‘‘We were overwhelmed at what the boys had become and what they'd achieved.’’