Whanau at Waipareira Alternative Education

By Stephen Forbes

Mere Tunks spends much of her time working with young west Aucklanders who've fallen through the cracks of mainstream education.

She was appointed director of the Waipareira Trust Alternative Education Unit ten years ago after spending a number of years in the teaching profession.

The unit caters for college aged children.

Some have been expelled from various schools while others are in Child Youth and Family custody.

"The government calls them alienated and excluded students," Mrs Tunks says. "It's quite a cruel name.

"Often they find mainstream education too big and overwhelming.

"But being in a small unit like this means more of a whanau feel can develop."

Mrs Tunks says the unit has around 35 students on its books at any one time.

It was officially established with education ministry funding in 1999.

An earlier version was run by the Waipareira Trust which had to apply for funding from various sources and use its own resources to prop it up.

"The Waipareira Trust has been fabulous because they've supported these kids when no one else has," Mrs Tunks says.

"We've been going for about 14 years now."

She says the unit isn't as academic as mainstream school and mainly tries to focus on improving the literacy and numeracy of its students.

Tutors often act like defacto parents to many of the pupils.

"I don't think these are difficult kids, they are just at a point where they need support," Mrs Tunks says.

She says she has no plans to retire yet despite being in her mid 60s.

"I'm still enjoying the kids.

"People who work with them get a shot of that youthful energy and vitality."

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