The Graeme Dingle Foundation run a Stars Adventure Camp and Community Adventure annually at Wakatipu High School. The Foundation is about empowering children to overcome life’s obstacles.

Stars is a secondary school programme that enhances school culture and develops valuable life skills for both junior and senior ākonga. The programme uses positive youth development practices to engage and connect rangatahi to their school and community.

Stars incorporates the tuakana-teina (older guiding younger) mentoring structure. This involves the senior students building on their leadership capability and skills by supporting the year nine students through their first year of secondary school. The buddy system supports tuakana to increase confidence, develop problem solving skills and build resilience. It also strengthens positive bonds in the school community and helps teina transition positively into their new school.

The adventure camp component of the Stars programme challenges rangatahi to step outside of their comfort zone, build confidence and form bonds with other students.

The community adventure component of the Stars programme aims to engage students with their local community. Wakatipu High ākonga were encouraged to explore the local services, resources,
and opportunities available to
them through fun activities. This
year showcased three important organisations in the region that each ran a lesson in an interactive format: New Zealand Police (Citizenship); Search & Rescue (Wellbeing/Safety); and Wakatipu Youth Trust (Resilience).