The Blue Light Alternative Strategies for Teenagers (Blast) programme was held at Dunstan High this term and the boot camp-style programme had provided numerous benefits for participants, Sergeant Ben Sanders, of the New Zealand Army, who ran the programme, said.
Fifteen year 9-10 pupils took part in the programme, which ran three times a week for eight weeks, finishing last Friday.
The demanding programme had provided self-confidence, self-discipline, fitness, leadership skills and motivation for all pupils and feedback from pupils and parents had been excellent, he said.
James Ensor-Velenski said the self-discipline had improved his concentration at school, and he planned to continue setting himself higher standards.
Jordan Bailey said the fitness part of the programme was excellent, and he had also enjoyed getting to know new people through the programme. It had fostered teamwork and formed bonds between people, he said.
Sgt Sanders said the programme was in line with his personal vision of providing strength and skills for young people through army-style outdoor programmes.
The Dunstan High Blast programme was overseen by Alexandra Youth Base, which jointly funded it with Central Otago Reap, the Otago Suicide Prevention Trust, the police Blue Light programme and businesses, including the Central Otago Sports Depot and Trail Journeys.
Alexandra Youth Base team leader Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay said the programme had been "awesome" and she hoped it would continue.
Central Otago Youth Aid officer Constable Tamah Alley and Dunstan High principal Reece Goldsmith also praised the programme.
Sgt Sanders’s military background and passion for youth and the community meant the programme would have been challenging and required some "grit and determination by the participants to succeed", Mr Goldsmith said.
