Modelers’ Group at Halsey Drive

Cutting, drilling, sanding, masking and painting. These are just some of the activities small groups of senior boys get to enjoy once a fortnight at Halsey Drive Primary School in Lynfield, Auckland.

Over the past eighteen months, the school’s Board of Trustees has employed Keith Dawkins, an enthusiastic semi-retired teacher, who instructs the boys in the craft of model making.

Whilst expertise in handicraft is developed, considerable emphasis during lessons has been placed on kind, yet forthright communication with regard to behavioural goals. “The aim of the scheme is to develop the students’ positive attitude towards school and learning, and to enhance life skills”, says Mr. Dawkins. The model making lessons complement what the children learn in class.

Since the implementation of the scheme, Halsey Drive School has seen a positive change in the students attending the group. “Some boys’ individual goals achieved thus far have been increased self-esteem, greater tolerance for others, better work habits, improved listening skills and competently carrying through of instructions”, says Mr. Dawkins.

The teachers gave further positive feedback by reporting that pupils attending the group return to class considerably calmer.

Highlights of the model making scheme were group visits to MOTAT and the NZ National Maritime Museum. Projects completed by the group are a workbench, metre long sailing ships and biplanes, jet propelled boats and ships in bottles.