South Auckland School Ready to Develop Healthcare Heroes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

South Auckland School Ready to Develop Healthcare Heroes

February 07, 2011

The Hon Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister, will deliver a formal speech this Thursday at the launch of a new and promising Health Science Academy at Otahuhu College.

“The Health Science Academy is a joint venture between Otahuhu College and the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA). It is designed to prepare Pacific students to successfully enter a health science degree and career into the health sector” – Debbie Sorensen, CEO, Pasifika Medical Association.

Otahuhu College has the largest Pacific population of students at a decile one level, and will be proudly sponsored by the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA). “Otahuhu College has been working hard over the past two years and has increased the number of students taking science. Its improving its academic science results” Gil Laurenson, Principal, Otahuhu College.

The Academy will support a small cohort of 25 year 11 students in an academically intensive science curriculum with the intention of ensuring these students have the best opportunity to pursue a health career.

Benefits of this academy is that each student will have access to holiday work experience, a career shadowing programme, a student health conference and certification in First Aid and CPR. This will be available with the help of health programmes such as Healthcare Heroes, run by PMA.

Contracted by the Ministry of Health Pacific Provider & Workforce Development Fund, PMA have worked with 21 secondary schools and have seen over 100 students successfully complete First Aid and CPR training through a student conference held in September last year.

The launch of the Health Science Academy is the first in New Zealand and provides a real opportunity to recognise the potential of young Pacific achievers.

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