How is the programme run?
Project K is a 14-month programme for Year 10 students that has three core components; Wilderness Adventure, Community Challenge and Mentoring.
Wilderness Adventure – This lasts for three weeks in the wilderness. It breaks down barriers and opens the students up to their real potential. As well as teaching outdoor skills, this adventure encourages the development of self-knowledge, life direction and learning how to set goals.
Community Challenge – Students are encouraged to think about what their community needs for the future. They then explore and access resources and opportunities locally available. The community project is then undertaken to give something back to their community and meet the identified need.
Mentoring – Each student is paired with a personal mentor for a minimum of 12 months. Mentors offer support so that students can achieve their goals and sustain the changes made from the first two stages.
How are students selected?
Year 10 students who will most benefit from the Project K programme are identified in part through a self-efficacy questionnaire which is completed by the whole year group. Self-efficacy is the strength of one’s belief in one’s own ability to complete tasks and reach goals and is a key factor in enhancing personal achievement and well-being. The strength of self-efficacy influences how an adolescent thinks, feels, motivates themselves, behaves and therefore ultimately how successfully the young person will make the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
The self-efficacy questionnaire, along with teacher input, is used to identify the Project K group. Students are selected within a school that runs Project K and invited to participate (with their parents/caregivers’ permission), at no cost.
To see which schools receive the programme click here.