The Flight School will have three instructors, two students and Mr Hewson. The aim is for boys to qualify as pilots and then be able to take UAVs on school trips, to sports events, biology field trips and other events. Max McCullough, Year 9, is one of the instructors. His father has an UAV which Max has already used to film a video for school. He will teach the boys to fly the quadcopters which use GPS satellites to stay in position. “We have raised money for Hohepa by having sponsored kayaking and running events,’’ says Max. “One of the quadcopters uses was to film this so we can send it to Hohepa and they can see what we are doing for our appeal.’’
use UAVs for school events,” he says. “Our first intake is 12 students who will work through a 10-week course during Cultural Activities on Thursday. There will be a small cost to cover certification and the boys who finally qualify will become members of the NZ Model Aircraft Association.’’ Mr Rodley and Mr Hewson believe that the more ideas schools
expose students to the better, that extra-curricular studies such as the Flight School are part of the hidden curriculum which offers boys the opportunities to do more than just get good grades. “Through this, we want to give the boys opportunities to develop their ideas about technology, to think about how these devices can be used, and be innovative.’’
Mr Rodley is enthusiastic about the possibilities.
“The idea is to generate interest and train up a couple of boys from each year level who will be qualified to
On this page: Boys enjoy a demo of a UAV in action on Upper.
Christ’s College Canterbury
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