Māwhera Services Academy
Greymouth High School established Māwhera Services Academy in 2002, a military-oriented course, with funding from the Tertiary Education Commission, New Zealand. There are now over 25 service academies throughout New Zealand.
The MSA is a military orientated programme with a strong emphasis on discipline, physical training, leadership skills and challenges. The MSA is designed for young people who have an interest in the following careers:
- Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force)
- Police
- Security industry
- Fire Service
- Customs
- Other related industries
MSA offers a full-time (37 week) programme and, being a division of Greymouth High School, the programme follows the same hours and term structure. The course runs 25 hours per week that is split into approximately:
- 16 hours academics (Maths/English plus two subject choices)
- 8 hours of services training and adventure-based learning activities
Services Training Breakdown
Supported by NZ Army Youth Life Skills Cell and the Limited Service Volunteer Company at Burnham Army Camp, services training includes:
- 2-week Induction Phase with the NZ Army in February
- School holiday Leadership courses with the NZ Army
- Military Drill
- Discipline
- Physical Training
- Field Exercises
- Live-in Camps
- Confidence Building
- Team Building
- Public Parades, e.g. ANZAC Day
- Client days with Tai Poutini Polytechnic: kayaking, white water rafting and rock climbing
- Tramping: Lake Daniels, Queen Charlotte track, various West Coast tracks, etc.
- Field Exercises
- Gym sessions
- Bush Craft
- Survival Training
- Camouflage and Concealment
- Cycling
- Orienteering
- PaintBalling
- Participation in Coast to Coast Event (against other Academies run by NZ Army)