Who said hard work wasn’t fun?  Whoever it was has never encountered our Red Cross Cadets.

The students set aside time this week to get their hands dirty in making some roadside gardens and verges a little better on the eye.

The Red Cross Cadets program provides College students with so many opportunities, from hiking and highropes through to making a difference for others.  This latter outcome was the motive for the working bee on the premises of a local church.

Church of Christ pastor, Lee Sykes enjoyed the chance to get some fresh air with the students, and to revisit his previous career choice in horticulture.  He was on hand to offer guidance on pruning techniques as well as making suggestions on other areas that might need some work.  However, it wasn’t all serious business.  A number of items made their way to the skip bin that brought a few smiles.

The hard work paid off for the Cadets with the fruit of their work being obvious.  Great job!

The Year 8 & 9 Red Cross Cadets at Cornerstone Christian College were the latest group to participate in a hike along a section of the Cape to Cape track.

For many of the 23 student participants, this was their first time at attempting such an event, and staff ensured that it was as easy as possible on them.

One of the organising teachers, Miss Jo Needham explained that this particular hike was considered a supported hike which meant that students were not required to carry tents or stoves.  ”This allowed the Year 8’s, who were on their first hike, to carry a slightly lighter pack.”

The students were responsible for packing what they carried, and from all accounts did a remarkable job.  It must be said however, that staff were surprised at the quantity of lollies that managed to appear along the journey! 

The first day found the explorers hiking through the beautiful Boranup Forest, up Trig hill and then onto Conto’s Campground where they spent the night.    Around the campfire, conversation was very informative and entertaining.  A debrief of the day’s events was on the agenda, but also consideration of questions, such as ”If you could have a meal with one person, dead or alive, who would it be?” and ”What would you miss most if you had to stay out in the bush for the next five years?”

On the second day, the group hiked along the cliffs overlooking Contos Beach, then down through Bob’s Hollow and along Redgate Beach.  It was here that they were very pleased to see Mr Cameron and the bus awaiting.

Jo Needham said that the Year 8’s provided a great deal of entertainment, by introducing a ”demerit point” system for all manner of infringements.  Bush cricket was also a popular activity for the more energetic students after a day of trekking. 

”We had a fantastic time on the hike with an amazing group of students. They were such a delight to be with that sometimes I had to remind myself that I was actually working,” she said.

The event wasn’t just a success from the teacher’s points of view, but it appears that the students also enjoyed it.

”It was challenging but worth it,” said Hendrik.

”I enjoyed being around people and getting to just hang out with my friends for a couple of days,” stated Kerri-Anne.

”I won’t take so much next time,” acknowledged Ben!

Senior Students from Cornerstone Christian College have participated in some strenuous activities over the past week. 

The Year 11/12 Outdoor Ed students have put their leadership skills to the test by organising and running a hike for the College’s Year 10 Red Cross Cadets.  As part of their course, the students were responsible for organising all elements of the trek.  After a cold wet overnight camp and many kilometres under their belt they were met by other Red Cross Cadets from the College for a High Ropes course.

According to one of the supervising teachers, Miss Jo Needham, the organising students did a remarkable job. 

”The Outdoor Ed students did an absolutely fantastic job and the hike was an enormous success”.

The High Ropes experience at the end of the hike was part of the Red Cross Cadets planned activities for this term, and enabled students to put their roping skills into practice.

The participants were able to experience the challenge of walking across tight ropes, logs, tyres and other obstacles whilst suspended in the air.  The students were divided into groups of three, which provided an opportunity for team work and support.  One student would be suspended up on the course and the other two team members would remain on the ground, acting as anchors (otherwise known as belays).  The suspended student would then negotiate a series of elements that were 10 to 12 metres above the ground.  The objective of this activitiy was to develop trust between the participants who rely heavily on each other for their safety. 

Jo Needham said; ”Students were incredibly supportive of one another, particularly the students who were not confident being so far off the ground.”

The Red Cross Cadets group at Cornerstone is the only one that operates within a school curriculum and a number of other exciting activities remain on the calendar in the coming months.  Senior cadets will obtain their Marine Skippers Licence, perform community service activities and complete the year with an adventure race at Meelup.

The Year 12 Outdoor Education students and two assisting teachers participated in a  hike last week and have returned home to rest some weary muscles.

The students carried everything they required for the two day trek from Prevelly Park to Hamelin Bay.  After a small injury delay was experienced at the starting point, a gruelling catch-up on the second day saw the hikers travel 28km in one day, most of which was on beaches in the region.  This test of the fittest of participants was challenging, but according to organising teacher Mr Greg Spencer, one that the students all coped well with.

The last outing for the class was during the wildest storms of the year, and this time also saw them facing strong winds but not the heavy downpours encountered previously.  The group experienced the contrasts of walking through the forests at Boranup to the beauty of the coastline.

The exercise was part of the assessment for the Outdoor Education class.  Students were required organise every aspect of the hike.  Mr Spencer said that he was extra-ordinarily proud of each participant.

This was confirmed by the other participating teacher, Mrs Penny Ravenscroft.  She stated that the students rose to the challenges before them.  ”They displayed commitment to the task, despite the inclement weather”. 

Whilst the scenery was an obvious highlight for everyone involved, considerable excitement was experienced at the end when hot sausage rolls were on the menu!

The Red Cross Cadets at Cornerstone Christian College were seen completing their Senior First Aid course today.  The Year 11 & 12 students were guided through the practical elements of their training by Mrs Estelle Dragstra, a former teacher and current first-aid instructor.

The students completed bandaging skills for a number of different scenarios, performed CPR on the College’s CPR dummies and from all appearances, any future casualties they encounter will be in good hands.

The training was just part of the Red Cross cadets curriculum for this term.  As the semester progresses they will be involved in hikes, orienteering, high rope work and mountain bike riding.   Additionally they will be obtaining their marine skipper’s certificates and completing community service work for other organisations.   The final event of the year is an adventure race to be held at Meelup Beach.

Having such a large group of skilled and qualified first-aiders within the College is tremendous – both as a benefit for the College, as well as for the wider community.
    

The Outdoor Education class  at Cornerstone Christian College, recently coincided its three day wilderness adventure with the biggest storms of the year.  Not satisfied to experience nature in its tranquil form, the Year 11 & 12 students paddled down the Blackwood River in rain, hail but not much shine.

17 students, with the assistance of 2 teaching staff, made their way from Sue’s Bridge to Warner Glen. All the equipment required for the 30km paddle was carried by students in a convoy of canoes.  Dry-packs were supplied to ensure warm clothing options were available at the end of each day when students tented in small clearings on the riverbanks.

Mr Greg Spencer, one of the teachers who helped coordinate the adventure stated that the students coped remarkably well with the conditions.  ”They understood the concept of leaving no trace when travelling through such a pristine environment”.   The leave-no-trace principle requires that even a grain of rice is not left in a manner than could affect the ecology of the area.  Strict guidelines are provided to ensure visitors protect the wilderness at the highest level.

During the adventure, the students were assessed in how they responded in a particularly difficult set on circumstances.

Mr Spencer stated that whilst it was cold and windy, the coldest part of the trip was the final 100 meters, when hail descended upon the weary travelers.

The wilderness trip is a new venture the College has undertaken this year and despite the weather was enjoyed by the participants.