* (STUDENTS CHATTER) What happens when you become a parent and you've barely finished childhood? After I gave birth, you're like, 'Oh no, it's a little baby trying to look after a little baby.' In the heart of New Zealand, there's a high school with a twist. We didn't advertise that we had a Teen Parent Unit. It was almost this dark secret. We follow four teen parents over a year... We are forced to grow up. We don't have a choice. I can't be pregnant. That's not what head students do. ...who suddenly find there's much more at stake than they ever imagined. Life does not revolve around myself any more. It's all about this baby. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020 (SCHOOL BELL BEEPS) Good morning, staff, students, and people of Fraser High School. Welcome back. OK, shall we sort our spaces and day out? He Puawai School for teenage parents is a progressive little school within Hamilton's Fraser High School. So, Liz isn't in here. She's away sick, but I'd like you guys to work together. Throughout the year, the region's pregnant and parenting teens, some as young as 14, are welcomed and supported to complete their education. Remember ` I don't want any labours in the classroom. Yeah, that's what I told my mum. (BOTH LAUGH) Cuddle. Cuddle. Hug. Hug. (CHUCKLES) The Teen Parent Unit provides much more than just an education. So, we have a nurse who's in three times a week that can see students and babies. Their babies are at school too, in the classroom or down the corridor in a full service creche. So, this is the over-2s' outdoor area. Hey, Sophia. We have our creche next door to us. They can have their` you know, pop down and breastfeed baby and come back. This is the gorgeous under-2s in here (WHISPERS) sleeping. Studying gives them hope that they're not gonna always be in the situation that they're in, and that education is a way out. (STUDENTS LAUGH, CHATTER) Here, the weekly timetable goes beyond the academic. We're preparing kai hakari. So, we do this on a Friday. We're not just looking after the academic; it's the whole person. Puriri. Breast feeders. And educating a whole person means that Lee has the background of all 30 students to consider. Dru came to us from Fraser High School ` she was actually a head student at Fraser last year and became pregnant. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) My first thought was, 'Get an abortion.' Everyone knew me as this good girl that did all the studies and knew all the answers in class. It felt like my whole life had just come to a stop and that was the end of it. She'd be crying. She was distraught. Automatically, her reaction was, 'Oh, so this means I can't be head girl.' (SOMBRE MUSIC) And I guess at some other schools, that might be a problem, but I didn't see it as a problem. (SCHOOL BELL BEEPS) See you. See you later. After deciding to keep her baby, He Puawai offered Dru a chance to deal with the sudden redirection of her life. She is here to get to university. So it's needing that support with basically being a mum, as well as, 'I need my UE.' I'm currently still trying to find my feet. It's... It's been really hard. After a year of flying high as head girl, this year, Dru has a number of challenges to overcome ` getting into university whilst juggling new motherhood, finding the cause of baby Areka's severe eczema, and the relationship with Areka's dad. Come on. (AREKA FUSSES) (CHUCKLES) I live with my nana. I moved in... a couple of months ago. (AREKA BABBLES) Yeah! When he's irritated or tired, he just starts scratching. And unfortunately, it's started spreading to other places on his body. He is not the happiest chap. Areka's father ` he didn't want anything to do with baby. He was like, 'Nah, I don't want people knowing I'm the dad. 'I don't want him to have my name because I don't want people affiliating him with me 'or you with me.' Come on. (GROANS) It was definitely sad. (GROANS) Awwww. Are you sucking on your spider? Are you? Are you? (LAUGHS) Eh? My first great-grandson. (BABBLES) Yeeeah. And then people say to me, 'You're a great-grandmother?' I said, 'Yes.' 'You're too young to be a great-grandmother!' I said, 'Well, I can't help that. 'I am.' (LAUGHS) (SCOFFS) Dru could be following her own mum's footsteps, in more ways than one. This is Dru when she was five and a half months old when her mum, Arlette, got capped at Auckland University. Yeah, with a BCom. Having a baby wasn't the end of her educational pursuits as far as her nana was concerned. She's my eldest moko, my first born moko, and she's always been my queen. And everybody in the family knows that, and so, just having a baby interrupted the... (HISSES) But that's OK. Yeah. Life still goes on. (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) Hiii. Hi, Jojo. Ohhhh, is it kai time? Are you gonna sit down? Virginia Crawford is principal of Fraser High and also oversees the Teen Parent Unit. When I first got here, we didn't advertise that we had a Teen Parent Unit. It was... almost this dark secret because you didn't want anyone to know that we had one, just in case they thought that all our students got pregnant. And we were being incredibly disrespectful to our teen parents. Have you come to school with Mummy? Eh? You've come to school with Mummy. We say that we respect and, um, we care about all of our students, then they're included in that. That's what Lee has done for them. See ya. Bye. Bye! So, your well-being... So, just first comes to your mind, which is the one that you think you wanna focus on? Um, mental and emotional. OK, so circle that one. We all have the same motive, which is to work hard for our babies. And for ourselves as well. (SOMBRE MUSIC) Cierrah became pregnant at 15. She lives between her mum and dad's houses with her 2-year-old son, Jonah. I'm at Dad's house today, getting ready for school. Dad's at work, so I have my own space to just get myself and Jonah ready. Here. Some banana or toast. (JONAH BABBLES) Choose your fruit. I've had to grow up ever since I was little cos I had to practically mother my own brother. When I turned about 6 or 7, my parents split. Mum just wasn't in a good state mentally, emotionally and physically, and she turned to drugs and alcohol. I was taken away from her because I wasn't in a safe place. For a time, Cierrah and her brother lived between various family members. I was getting moved around from all my different aunties. They didn't have much food. I was missing out on school. I just remember those times when it was scary for me. There were some incidents of child abuse. And so, they contacted my dad and asked him if he was willing to have us and he said yes. But by the time she reached her teens, Cierrah had a broken relationship with her parents. So I was looking for... love and attention. (CHUCKLES) And then I found that... in the wrong place... um, with someone, which is Jonah's dad. (GROANS) (JONAH GRIZZLES) I was 15. He was 22. When I told my parents his real age, they pressed charges. Thank you. Morning. Jonah's dad was put on home detention and had to move out of town. Every two weeks, he is allowed to visit his son on supervised visits at Barnardos. Hi, Jonah. Thanks, Gaylene. For Cierrah, the unit provides support that she has struggled to find at home. Being at He Puawai has been my solid foundation for a while. Yeah, it's my little happy place. She's got really high attendance, and if she could move in and maybe live in the corner of the classroom, I think she would. (CHUCKLES) But Cierrah will be leaving the unit at the end of the year and will need to decide which direction to take her life. (SEAGULLS CRY) (GENTLE MUSIC) Not every lesson is in the classroom. Every year, the students travel as a group to Raglan. We do purposely get the girls outside their comfort zones and build on confidence. Te Puna Waiora is where we stop to remember who we are and where we come from. Yeah, some people think, like, real natural. Pregnant Eva left school at 16 and has just started at He Puawai. I only started last Monday. It's good. I like it. I really do love it. I don't sit around and do nothing. I have energy to do stuff. I'm having a girl. It's actually so close, it's scary. For Eva, becoming pregnant was a chance to create the family she dreamed of as a child, alongside her boyfriend. I can't wait to see him actually see her and hold her. I can tell that he's gonna be a really good dad. I see us living in a house together. I see a family. I see a cool family that's stronger than anything. Many students have an idea of what they think it's going to be like. It's beautiful. It's freezing. (CHUCKLES) Becoming pregnant, deciding to keep the baby ` it's the ultimate test of that relationship, and if they're both young, it's an ultimate test for both those young people. Over the course of a year, all the girls' dreams will be put to the test,... Cos I don't have much support, like, family-wise. ...but which will become a reality? I just wanted to cry. * (CHEERFUL VIOLIN MUSIC) Furthering their education so they can support their children is the goal for all of these young parents. So, we're looking at... this here changes. After dropping out of school at 13, Danielle had a lot to catch up on. Ko Danielle toku ingoa. Kei te haere ai ki te... When I arrived here, everything was hard. I couldn't read big words. Yeah, I felt really dumb. Toa. Nice. Danielle came to us... hapu with RJ. Jaisaia was just little and she was quite a reluctant learner. We're going home now. She just had such this fixed mindset of, 'I can't do it. I'm dumb and I'm stupid.' Her journey back to school hasn't been an easy one. I was way out of my comfort zone. My dad did a lot of hunting and fishing, and I used to help him a lot cos I didn't like school. Didn't like going to school. A few years after dropping out of school, Danielle fell pregnant, and during birth, first-born son Jaisaia suffered serious complications. I was real... scared. I was real scared cos... (CLEARS THROAT) ...they were telling me, 'He might not make it,' you know? And just watching the nurses do what they had to do in, like, three days, from cooling his brain down to getting him back to normal, it was just amazing. Like,... amazing. And that's what inspired me, and that's what motivates me now. I wanna be a nurse. Show them your cool cards. See ya. See ya in the morning. Yup. I had no credits at any levels, so I knew I have to go back to school. In addition to school work, there's running a household with two small kids. (CHILD YELLS) Danielle is separated from RJ and Jaisaia's father. He's active in their lives, but Danielle is the primary caregiver. So, usually I come home, I've got dishes to do, I've got washing to do, I've got clothes to pick up and fold. It's cos in the morning, I just wake up, get us ready for school, and then just take off. But this week, there's been something else to add to her load. What's happened is my landlord has sold the house. It's really hard trying to find housing. I've been looking every day, and it's like another job. It's my day. Yeah, I just want the best for my kids. Go like this. Ooh, big muscles. (GIGGLES) In five years' time, I see myself having a house, my certificate for nursing. My life will be better in five years' time. That's all I know. It's Dru's son Areka's first birthday, and there's been a recent addition to the family ` Areka's dad. Once he saw baby, it made him realise that he actually` he did want to be a father and part of our life. He had asked me if I'd be willing to give us a go. At first, I was like, 'Nah. 'You didn't wanna be a dad. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.' But then, something in me changed, and I was like, 'Mm, OK, let's... 'Let's give it a go.' Dru and boyfriend D'Artagnan are now planning to move in together. He has definitely become more of a father, rather than just being his dad. Dru's been lucky to have had plenty of support from friends and family. I remember we used to talk about all the scenarios of how you'd tell your parents and stuff. (CHUCKLES) Yeah, that was a fun conversation (!) Scary, I guess. As parents, you have... dreams and, kind of, aspirations for your kids and... when that deviates from what you thought was gonna happen, it can be a bit of a shock to the system. But, uh, he's here, he's happy. He's definitely being raised by a village, I think. ALL: # Happy birthday, dear Areka. # Happy birthday to you. # (ALL CHEER, CLAP) (LAWNMOWER WHIRRS) Good morning! Morning, RJ. Morning, Jaisaia. Hi, Jonah. It's the last day of the school week. Cierrah has made plans for Jonah on the weekend ` a Barnardos visit with Jonah's father. I have to take Jonah to Barnardos to see his dad for supervised visits. I find that gives me that peace of mind and it's safer. We're not talking at the moment, me and his dad. I have a Protection Order because I've had threats from Jonah's dad that he will take Jonah away and he just makes me a bit wary. Upside down. Ready? (YELLS) Who's that boy? But regardless of Cierrah's good intentions, there are some things beyond her control. WOMAN ON PHONE: Good afternoon, Barnardos. Hi, um, this is Cierrah. I missed a call from you guys today. Hi, I just sent you a text to let you know that the session tomorrow's been cancelled. OK? K, thanks. All right, so we'll see you for your next session. That's, like, the fourth time Barnardos has been cancelled. (HUFFS) (SOMBRE MUSIC) It has been organised for every second weekend. I'm not sure what's going on on his dad's side. It makes me feel... I dunno, a bit gutted for Jonah and for this whole situation, cos I've been going through this whole co-parenting thing just so Jonah can keep that relationship with his dad. (SQUEALS) Whoa. Despite the difficulties, Cierrah still hopes that next time, Jonah's dad will take the opportunity to see his son. * (SOFT, CHEERFUL MUSIC) He Puawai mornings often see mums and bubs sharing breakfast. I know that they're well-fed when I bring them down here. My kids are just little piglets, (GIGGLES) in a good way. For Danielle, the challenge of school isn't just academic. It's meant a total change in her mentality. There'd be days I'd wake up and feel tired. And I'm like, 'Oh, can't be fucked. 'Just wanna stay home today. I just wanna lie in bed.' But then I thought about it, like, what's that gonna do? (CHUCKLES) What's that gonna` Where's that gonna get me? Every day, I'd wake up. Every day, I'd get up and I'd get out the door. I have developed more of a positive mindset. Danielle dropped out of school at 13. No one in her whanau has completed high school, but she's set her sights on a different path. You are looking at the field of either nursing or midwifery, so it's quite a health-based environment that you're currently looking at going into. So, if we're looking at your entry criteria, you are looking at, sort of, your UE. University? Can I do this? Wow. It's... Just University Entrance sounded scary. The programme ` when does it start? OK, so, nursing ` we have two intakes a year. We have one in February, one in July. Yup. I wanna enrol. There you go. Oh, do I do it online? Awesome. You do it all online. (CHUCKLES) On ya. So, yeah, I'm pretty happy and proud of myself of where I'm at at the moment. You have applied for semester two. ALL: Yay! (CHUCKLES) Yeah, she's come in leaps and bounds. From Danielle a couple of years ago, not even sure she could finish level 1, 'This is so hard. I can't do this,' light year leap. Enrolling is one step, but achieving the marks she needs to get in will be another. So, I'll just get you to chuck your first name up there, Eva. Eva's preparing for the birth of her baby in two weeks, and she's keen not to lose her momentum at the unit. Do you know how long you wanna stay home when you've had the baby? Hmm, I'm coming straight back. You're coming straight back? Yeah. Oh, wow. February, I'm coming straight back. Oh, that's awesome. I was scared that I was gonna exactly how I was at school, skipping classes, not wanting to be there, not motivated, but I'm motivated to be here, so it's pretty cool to come here and have people, like, want me here. This is a little bit more tricky now. Are you ready? Mm-hm. That's term number one. She's hoping her recent efforts will pay off. So, I thought we would just do a quick review from when you started this term to now. Some good news for you, Eva. Yes. In one term, you just earned yourself level 1 NCEA. Yay. High five. Can we have a high five now? (BOTH CHUCKLES) So, really good start. And Eva's family dream is falling into place. She's moving into a flat with her boyfriend. He's moving in with us because it's his baby and his girlfriend and he wants` he wants to be there. He wants to be a dad. All happy? Yes, very happy today. Super excited. Um, photos. Photos when the baby arrives. Oh, yes, of course. Yeah, don't deprive me. No. It's like, when they give that due date, I'm like, 'Lee needs photos of this baby.' (BOTH CHUCKLE) Of course. Of course. First photos... OK. Yup. ...will be going to Lee. Awesome. Well done, Eva. You'd done amazing. CHUCKLES: Thank you. (GENTLE MUSIC) (BIRDS CHIRP) After being raised with great expectations to achieve, becoming pregnant left Dru with something to prove to herself and her family. My mum raised me up as a single mum, and when I found out I was pregnant, I felt like I had let my mum down so much because she had put so much time and effort into me becoming this wonderful, amazing child that was gonna go rule the world and go accomplish so many things. One year later, it's Dru's chance to get back on track. She's been waiting to hear if she's been accepted into her tertiary degree. This is my last piece I have to do, so the pressure's on. (CHUCKLES) And in the middle of her essay is the news she's been waiting for. (CELL PHONE CHIMES) (GIGGLES, CHEERS) OK, I have to ring my mum. (GIGGLES) (PHONE RINGS) Hello, Mum. ARLETTE: Yeah? I just got my letter of acceptance into Wintec, Bachelor of Applied Management. (GIGGLES) OK, I love you, Mum. OK, kisses. I love you. Bye. (GIGGLES) It'll be different... Yup. ...cos this is Wintec, and uni is, like, such` it is a way bigger step up. You're totally ready. Being here` Yeah, being here has prepared as well. Just because you're off to tertiary doesn't mean we're not here to support you,... Yeah. ...and even if you need to come and moan, that's OK. (LAUGHS) Come and moan. Well done, Dru. Thank you. Super, super proud of you. Hmm. Eh? (BOTH LAUGH) Yes, so well done. Thank you. A teacher in charge of a teen parent unit, it's a complex position. You're like a principal, a deputy principal, a dean, a counsellor, a teacher, a mum. And every day is different. (SCHOOL BELL BEEPS) (SOBER MUSIC) At the end of a long day, Lee drives home to her family. I do have a very personal connection to the job. I went to Otago University. I was quite young. You know, I started university, I was still 17, and in my first year, fell pregnant. Was that the first photo you took of me? Yeah, that's your first one when you were born. BOTH: Let's keep going. It was really difficult for my family, especially when, you know, I wasn't with somebody that was there for the long haul. Yeah, I do remember that. Mm. One way my family did support me was that they did expect me to carry on with my education because it was important to do that now that I was going to be a parent. That's me graduating. You were there. The stigma of being a teen parent is still very much prevalent. Knowing what the girls and the dads are going through, I get it, because it took grit and guts to get through what I've done. Ata marie, Fraser. Today is the last day of the term. (SCHOOL BELL BEEPS) (UPLIFTING PIANO MUSIC) Looks great. There's an end-of-term celebration at He Puawai, and it's Dru's final day now she's been accepted into her degree. We're setting up for the formal prize-giving. It's organised chaos, but everyone's chipping in, so that's great. We're about five minutes away from going over to the wharenui and setting up the girls. Friends and whanau come to show their support for the girls' hard work, and Eva's invited her boyfriend. I used to think that I couldn't achieve anything. It took me to get pregnant to actually come back to school. I'm proud ` proud of myself for being... being there and actually putting my focus on my work. I've never had that before, so... that's a proud moment for me. (CHUCKLES) OK. Four minutes. You look great, Jane. Look great. Didn't realise we needed time in the day for hair and make-up. OK, we're ready, girls. My name's Lee Marchioni. I'm the teacher in charge of He Puawai Teen Parent Unit. Welcome. You're very much part of our whanau. We have a new award this year. It's the Resiliency award. That work ethic, every day, of striving for that excellence. I would like to ask Danielle Huia to come up, please. (CROWD CHEERS, CLAPS) And after the most challenging year of her life, Dru's resilience has paid off. She's off to university. I'd like to thank Lee for believing in me and pushing me to strive to do the best. TEARFULLY: My partner, D'Artagnan, for taking care of baby when I needed to get... (SNIFFLES) ...my butt into gear. (CROWD CHUCKLES, CLAPS) I just feel immensely proud from a very deep place. It's the first teaching job I've had which you totally connect with those people and you know that you've made that massive difference. So, we have ` Eva has achieved level 1. (CROWD CLAPS) As Eva collects her award, she's upset to see that her boyfriend is missing. I asked him about a week ago to come. I dunno. I wanted him here. (SOLEMN MUSIC) I just wanted to cry. Cos I don't have much support, like, family-wise. So I really wanted him here to... just... see what I'm actually doing. Like, I actually do things here. It's quite sad. (CHUCKLES RUEFULLY) For these students, success requires another level of determination. Can I have a kiss and a cuddle? And I'll see you later. As the year progresses, things are only going to get harder for Danielle. Living in our car is just... not an option at the moment. * (GENTLE PIANO MUSIC) Kia ora, school. Welcome back to term 3. I hope you've enjoyed your last two weeks off. (SCHOOL BELL BEEPS) Ooh, Sophia. A new term brings new students with babies in tow. Is he looking at your mama? We've got some new enrolments coming through. They come in all year. You know, you don't really book in teen pregnancy. That just happens when it happens. Lee, did you leave Dad? (BABY COOS) Oh, he left you? (LAUGHTER) And it's not just mums and bubs in attendance. He Puawai doesn't get as many dads. They're predominantly mums because they're the ones that are physically carrying the child, whereas for the young men, the role's not as defined and that can be hard for them to negotiate. After the birth of baby Calais, Creed found his attendance slipping at next door Fraser High. I wasn't really focused at school, and I was usually just outside and waiting to get in to see baby. And then Lee offered me to come study in here. It's easier, and I get my own workspace. I can go down and see baby at breaks. I get to have Creed here with me every day. Just an extra supportive person. Can I have a kiss and a cuddle? And I'll see you later. Thank you. (GROANS) If anyone could use an extra supportive person at the moment, it's Danielle. She should be focusing on her studies, but instead is trying to find somewhere to live. With two young sons to think about, it's a situation more pressing than getting into nursing. At the moment, I'm still house-hunting. Most houses ` they want professionals, and not many want children. And it's not just finding a new house, but moving out of the current one. I've got five weeks to clear the house and make it` put it back to how it was. The wall needs to be painted, but if I'm to paint them, the whole house then needs to be painted, is what I'm saying. I've got a lot going on, but I` but I've just gotta, like, you know, put everything behind me and just focus on what I'm doing today. OK, so, overall goal for the year is level 2? Yup. Yeah, level 2 NCEA/entry into Wintec. Thank you. OK. Sorted. Yup. Sign this one thing. Go and grab it. But for now, there's more houses to view. We got it. Yeah. Yeah? We're all good now? Yup. Go to the car. You're gonna go in the car? Jonah! (SQUEALS) (SQUEALS, GIGGLES) Whoa. While school holidays are a break for most, for Cierrah, it's been a difficult time. Bye-bye. Byeee. After years of instability, she's trying to repair a sometimes volatile relationship with her mother. (SOMBRE MUSIC) We have our good moments and our bad moments... 'Good boy.' ...but it does get real stressful at times. I do struggle with managing my mum and her mental health issues. It's been... yeah, emotionally and physically draining. Mum does get a bit... (HUMS THOUGHTFULLY) sensitive. See ya later. This week, she's staying at her mum's house. Look, Uncle Kaiu. She wants to just be a mum to me again, but it can be a lot to take on, especially when I'm just trying to be a mum to my own child. (GRIZZLES) Look, Jonah. (GRIZZLING CONTINUES) What are these? I don't see things the same way that she does, and that's why we clash. What's this one? (GRIZZLES) Elephant. Elephant. (GIGGLES) For several years, the only time Cierrah saw her mum was during fleeting supervised visits at Barnardos. I'd always feel sad leaving there. And there were times where we'd go there, but she wasn't able to make it, which is what's happening now with Jonah and his dad. (GIGGLES) (CHUCKLES) She's been through a lot of trauma and abuse... (GIGGLES) ...and there were times when I know she needed me, but I couldn't be there, not by choice. Jonah. Come have your kai. Something... made her change her whole mindset and she worked hard to get a house and to find a job. Come join us for kai, please. The only reason she came back to me was cos she had seen a lot of positive changes that I've made over the years, and that encouraged her to want to bond with me again. Sort of kept me alive. (CHUCKLES RUEFULLY) (WATER SPLASHES) He has been super active today. (JONAH GIGGLES) Yeah, I feel really tired, but I have to wait till the day's actually ended, until` until he's asleep. And, um, then that's my rest time. Knowing that Jonah's bathed and fed and happy, I feel happy. She's an amazing mother. She's a better mother than I ever was. All right. Time to get dry. Considering all the chaos and that that goes on around her, she just perseveres, and she taught me that word when she was 7 years old, when she saw me struggling, (SNIFFLES) and she would say, 'Mum, just persevere.' And she's done that throughout her whole life. She wants, you know, a better life for Jonah than she got. I'm so proud of her. (GENTLE MUSIC) (BABY BURBLES) There's been a happy addition to Eva's life and the Teen Parent Unit. Aria Marie is 3 weeks old, and Eva is preparing to come back to school,... You gonna come to school, Aria? (CHUCKLES) ...but with one recent complication. And how's your new house? Good. Yeah. Enjoying it? Oh, I was. Now I have to move everything out. (CHUCKLES RUEFULLY) Oh, why's that? My partner's moving` Oh, my ex-partner's moving out now. Ohhh. Yeah. Yeah, you've gotta navigate co-parenting now, eh? Yeah, cos he doesn't` He just thinks, 'Oh, I'll just take her and give her to my mum.' No. If you take her, you look after her. Hmm. Mm. Not your mum. Me and Hiki have broken up. Like, I don't want it to happen, but I need it to happen to make him realise that we need to be a family, not little teenagers that we were before we had our daughter. He needs to get a job and provide for his family. (ARIA YAWNS) We'll just go with the flow this term. Yeah. OK? Yeah. It's hard because, as soon as you become a parent, it's a whole lot of other expectations that's on you as a person and also in that relationship and they're still trying to figure out what that looks like. Cool, so, see ya Monday. Yes. Awesome. Eva had big dreams about what her life would be like when she had her baby, but how will she adjust to new parenthood alone? She's not feeling well. She's been really exhausted. * (GENTLE MUSIC) Today is a big day for Dru. She's starting her bachelor's degree. I'm always worried about making new friends and meeting new people. Worried that I'm gonna be friendless. For the moment, Areka will stay in familiar surroundings. He'll continue at He Puawai creche until Dru settles in. Look, we have a tertiary student here in the room. Everyone, look, there's a tertiary student. Can we see? She looks different, eh? That transition from secondary to tertiary is harder than we think. I purposely don't hold their hand up to Wintec, cos they have to be able to do it themselves. After the tiny, supportive unit of He Puawai, Dru has suddenly become a small fish in a very big pond ` one of 13,000 students at Wintec. It's a lot bigger than, like, a high school. (CHUCKLES) Like, when I first walked in, I realised, for me, being a young teenage mum, completing a degree as well... it's not light work. I'm Dru, this is my first year, and I'm a full-time mum. I'm nervous about what kind of grades I'll get and whether I'll be able to live up to the standards I've set for myself. Aiming high means there's further to fall. Eva had planned on coming straight back to school after the birth of her baby. Everyone's been pretty good with communication. I think Eva is the only one that I haven't heard from today. After separating from her boyfriend, Eva's been missing from school. (TEXT MESSAGE TONE) She's not feeling well. She's been really exhausted. (TEXT MESSAGE TONE) She was gonna come in today, but she just messaged me saying that she's too tired, baby's been up crying all night. (TEXT MESSAGE TONE) Eva's struggling a little bit with having a newborn. She really wanted to come back to school, but we haven't seen her. So I think maybe some extra maternity leave would have been really good for her. Whilst Eva's struggling to make it to school, Cierrah has the highest attendance of any He Puawai student. Yeah, I took about two days off with a cold. That made me feel really down, (CHUCKLES) cos I just wanna be at school and just keep doing my work. The security blanket of the Teen Parent Unit won't always be there for Cierrah. At the end of the year, she'll be leaving and has to make a decision about her future. If you look at her vision board, you can see here that she's got nursing as an interest over here, but she's also really keen on mechanics. And she is keen on beauty as well. And in her lifetime, she may touch on each of these. It's always fascinating what people end up doing. So, your draft goal was focus on the specific work to do to complete 11 credits at NCEA level 2. Is that still what you wanna do? Yes, and it's looking very achievable too. It is looking very achievable? I've achieved, um, way more than I thought I did. I feel pretty... nervous cos I'm really comfortable here. (CHUCKLES) But I'm excited at the same time, cos that means that I've actually achieved a lot and I can move on. I think that leaving He Puawai will be really hard for Cierrah. But Cierrah is an amazing young woman. People meet her and often don't see the depth of Cierrah, and she always is great at surprising people. (SOMBRE MUSIC) Danielle is preparing for a different kind of departure. She has to be out of her house in seven days. Slowly trying to pack up. Slowly trying to clean the house. Fixing, cleaning, gardening, trying to focus on school. But having had multiple applications turned down, she has no home to go to, and is trying to avoid the worst-case scenario. On Tuesday, I will be homeless, and cos I've got two kids, living in our car is just... yeah, nah ` not an option at the moment. Her only hope is to be accepted by Housing New Zealand into emergency accommodation in a motel. Feel pretty nervous. I mean... A motel. Who wants to be in a motel? While they're studying and two kids ` no routine. I've always wanted my kids to have stability in their life. So, yeah... (INHALES DEEPLY) (SIGHS) (SOLEMN MUSIC) Next time on High School Mums ` (JONAH CRIES) Cierrah receives an unexpected diagnosis. I'm just concerned about Jonah, same as the creche. Will being homeless compromise Danielle getting into nursing? I rarely have time to do homework. (GROANS) Dru gets to the bottom of Areka's severe eczema. DRU: When he scratches, he scratches his skin raw to the point where it starts to bleed. And Eva faces the past to decide what she wants for her future. I told myself I wasn't gonna come back. Whether I like it or not, this is my home.