Youth programme making a difference

Students at Te Puke High School have been benefiting from the school’s CACTUS programme. Supplied photos.

Te Puke High School's CACTUS programme is back for another year, helping students achieve their potential through exercise.

CACTUS – or Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit Support – has been running at the school for several years.

It involves early morning starts before school, with students and the teachers who run the programme exercising from 6.15-7.15am. It incorporates a range of activities including team lunges with a rope and circuit training.

Afterwards, students get to shower, before being provided with breakfast.

Te Puke High School teacher Emma Jamieson got involved soon after she began teaching at the school.

'Quite a few of my colleagues said they loved CACTUS, so I decided to go along one time. And I've never missed one since.”

She says it was started at the school by their deputy principal, who was ‘a huge advocate' for its ability to change kids.

'It has so many positives for me as a teacher, it keeps me active, and it builds relationships with students. It's so different to seeing them in that environment rather than the classroom,” says Emma.

Students are selected from across age groups, as well as ensuring there's a gender balance.

Emma says there are three kinds of students they try to involve – at-risk kids, such as those with behavioural or attendance issues; middle-of-the-road students, who show up to school but could be doing better; and role model students, who are academically successful.

'It's had a huge positive impact on the students. They all want to do it,” says Emma. 'We had 150 apply last year, so it's really popular.”

There are four staff members who are completely responsible for the programme, including finding sponsorship – breakfast every morning isn't cheap.

Some of their main sponsors include Te Puke Youth Trust, King Flooring, Te Puke Rotary, and Baytrust.

CACTUS is always looking for more support to ensure it continues running. Email emma.jamieson@tepuke.school.nz if you'd like to help out.

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