Graduates weren't the only ones celebrating when a new academy for young people turned out its first intake yesterday morning.
The Summerhill A1 Youth Academy, founded by David and Cloie Blackley at their Summerhill Farm in the Papamoa Hills, marked its maiden graduation ceremony as Tauranga MP Simon Bridges handed each
of the 33 teens special gold cards.
The cards, as part of their CVs, will allow future employers to link to a website detailing their achievements at the A1 Academy and also a character reference.
Mr Bridges congratulated them along with Tony O'Neil of career support website cv.co.nz, who gave a talk on the importance of a well-constructed CV.
Mr O'Neil assured them that their unique gold cards would make their CVs stand out to prospective employers now and in the future.
In return, the graduates thanked the Blackleys and academy director Garth Collings, and presented them gifts.
The academy is run by a charitable trust which funds the series of speakers and tutors brought to Summerhill to work with the teenagers by Mr Collings, a chartered accountant with 30 years of youth-focused experience.
Next year's intake is now open for new students, and more information about the academy can be found online at www.summerhill.co.nz
