Alternative education office opens

Whaioro Trust has opened a new office on Levin’s Queen Street from where its Te Ata Kura programme will be run.

Te Ata Kura is an alternative education programme helping college students, aged 13-15, who aren’t quite coping in mainstream education.

This programme includes alcohol and drugs counselling.

“Counsellors walk alongside rangatahi to promote awareness,” said CEO Kelly Bevan.

“They get credits for this too.” “The aim is to guide them back to either school, into work or some form of training. They each get a learning plan that identifies their strengths and weaknesses and that guides them to somewhere to go to.”

They also learn basic life skills and provided with tools to manage their behaviour.

“How long they spend with us depends on how old they are when they get here. Usually it is anywhere from six months to two terms.”

The programme has been going for two years now and has a conservation aspect. Since Whaioro is a Ma¯ ori provider, culturally appropriate support is crucial. “For us as staff Te Atata Kura means everyday there is a new opportunity,” said Kelly.

Students from all three colleges are referred to Te Ata Kura.

Principals from all three were present at the official opening and blessing of the new offices.

Find both Whaioro Trust and Te Ata Kura at 592 Queen Street in Levin.