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Dreaming high - Project K
A look at how some
people and organisations are making a difference to
our youth.
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After 14 months of challenges, nine
graduates from Foundation for Youth
Development’s flagship programme, Project K,
were put to the test one more time
negotiating the startling heights of the Sky
Tower and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The students, selected for their outstanding
achievements, were this year’s Project K
Student Excellence Awards recipients and
were treated to an action-packed day before
attending the awards ceremony at Government
House in Auckland on September 18.
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Project K aims to maximise the potential of
Year 10 students (4th form)
through a 14-month programme that involves a
Wilderness Adventure, Community Challenge
and 12 months of mentoring. Participants
are specifically selected for a sought-after
place on the programme based on their
realised yet untapped potential for
excellence.
Award recipient Steven Te’o from Project K
Waitakere spoke about his time in the
programme: “Where would I be if I never had
Project K? To be honest I don’t know. |
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I wouldn’t be the same person if I hadn’t
done Project K, that’s for sure. This has been a
huge thing in my life and I wish to continue
the skills I have learnt and use them at
home, school, sport and everywhere. I am
glad I took this stepping stone to become
the best person I can be.”
The awards, now in their eighth year were
officiated by Foundation for Youth
Development Patron, Her Excellency Mrs Susan
Satyanand, and were attend by over 140 guests
including Lady June Hillary and Sir Paul and
Lady Beverly Reeves. The
Foundation for Youth Development (FYD),
founded by mountaineer Graeme Dingle and
lawyer Jo-anne Wilkinson, is a leading
organisation managing proven youth
development programmes aimed to inspire
school age children to reach their full
potential. Through FYD’s current
programmes Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K we
teach 16,000 young people each year how to
be confident, healthy individuals who
contribute positively to society.
FYD’s programmes cater for students from the
start of primary school right through to the
end of high school. The permanency and
continuity of the programmes is the key to
their success. Each programme builds upon
the other to transform the nation of New
Zealand, one community at a time through our
children. Internal and external evaluation
of the programmes shows that students
strengthen their positive values, develop a
motivating belief in their abilities and
have improved academic results. |
Current Programmes
Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K are delivered through
participating schools across the country by local
trusts (Licensees), keeping the focus community
driven. The permanency of the programmes is their
success.
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Kiwi Can
is a life skills and values programme
delivered to 5 – 12-year-olds throughout a
school, once a week, every week of the
school year. The programme challenges and
develops children in a positive way to
increase their physical fitness, mental
awareness, creative abilities and
understanding and the nurturing of values
and life skills. |
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Stars
supports Year 9 students (3rd
form) to make a safe and positive transition
into high school through five key stages; a
week long Adventure Camp, Community Project,
Community Adventure, Careers Expo and Peer
Mentoring with senior students. The
programme encourages a strong school
community by bringing junior and senior
students together through weekly peer
mentoring, activities and projects, with
guidance and support from teachers. |
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Project K
is an exciting youth development programme
run in three key phases. Year 10
students (4th form) spend three
weeks completing a Wilderness Adventure
aimed at providing challenges and fostering
the growth of self-confidence, 10 days
completing a Community Challenge to develop
life skills and a knowledge of community
resources, and a year-long mentoring
partnership focused on providing support and
encouragement toward the achievement of
goals. |
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