Traditional Classrooms Don't Fit Everyone

Every young person learns differently. When a mainstream high school setting leads to disengagement, anxiety, or school refusal, students need an alternative path - not a dead end.

Our Approach: Learning by Doing

The Avoca Trust educational program offers a structured, supportive alternative senior secondary pathway centered on active learning. Through our Murray School Ships initiative, students build life skills, team trust, and vocational competency aboard the TS Mundoo while working toward recognised qualifications.

• Practical Curriculum: Focus on real-world application rather than high-stakes exam rooms.

• Supportive Environment: Small-group mentor ratios designed to rebuild confidence and purpose.

• Flexible Learning Credit: Earn credits toward senior secondary completion while gaining industry certifications.

Avoca Trust is a 100% tax deduction gift recipient charity providing "Education and training about the natural Environment of the Murray River and Near Coastal regions"

The SS Mundoo is the flagship leading a fleet of houseboats, safety vessels, and kayaks forming a Mobile River Campus cruising the Murray as a residential, adventure-based VETiS tech college for senior secondary students. Murray School ships deliver a transformative alternative pathway focused on enhancing student wellbeing and mental health.

⚓ Program Overview

Our fleet cruises by daylight and moors along the riverbank each evening, providing structured, seasonal learning environments for three distinct groups:

• Full-Time Residential Students: A 3-year VETiS Certificate III pathway integrating academics, river tourism, maritime operations, and leadership development.

• Visiting School Camps: Mid-week river adventure camps, wilderness expeditions, and field studies hosting up to 130 students and staff.

• Weekend & Community Operations: Commercial functions, and accredited boat licensing training.

🌿 A Fresh Pathway for Teens at Risk

Disengagement, school refusal, chronic stress, or heightened tension at home often signal that a traditional classroom setting is no longer working. The Murray School Ships initiative offers a constructive change of environment to help students rebuild confidence, regain focus, and test their personal independence.

• Time Out from Home & School Stress: Distance from everyday pressures, social conflict, and rigid academic environments.

• Practical Responsibility: Students train as active ship’s crew, learn kitchen skills, serve as guides for visiting school groups, and take on supervised leadership roles across the fleet.

• Supported Independence: Bunk accommodation supervised full-time by registered teachers and certified River Masters.

🚤 Enrollment & Academic Structure

"Come & Try" Term:

• We assess the personal and educational needs of each student and prepare a specific task sheet for their future learning, aligned with the Certificate III VETiS Tourism & Hospitality curriculum

Review Meeting

• Conduct a principal-parent-student meeting to plan and customize the three-year Certificate III VETiS program content for the student.

Program Path Statement:

• Finalize and issue the specific Certificate III program path statement tailored for each student's journey.

Flexible Family participation & Independent Study Options

• By arrangement with the Fleet Master, small student cohorts can undertake custom online study programs aboard an approved family houseboat. These vessels cruise in company with the main fleet, participating in all evening moorings, shared curriculum modules, and fleet safety protocols.

📞 Enquiries & Admissions

To discuss enrolment, mid-week school camp bookings, or options for private boats to join the fleet with their teens operating the family boat, contact the Principal directly:

• Principal: Capt. Bouc

• Phone: 0418 836 137

• Email: capt.bouc@gmail.com

• See Calendar