A three day hike in the Blackwood National Park has been successfully completed by Cornerstone’s Outdoor Education students.

Supported by five adults, the students were split into girls and guy teams, and were required to navigate untracked through  a course of approximately 34 km in length.  The terrain they experienced was challenging, but at least on this occasion, the bad weather tradition that usually follows these events was broken.  According to Secondary teacher, Greg Spencer, the  students were required to climb some fairly decent hills, make their way through some savage vegetation and successfully manage some river crossings.

College Principal, Bruce Douglas, along with former College graduate, Travis Dykstra provided support for the boys, and teacher Maria Ackerman, with another former graduate, Danelle Spencer worked with the team of girls.  Greg Spencer provided vehicular support and oversaw the event.

‘The highlights included the excellent leadership & group skills shown by the students, particularly the way the students ran the Tyrolean traverse roping exercise to cross the river’, Mr Spencer said.

Upon their return, the students declared that the experience had been wonderful, but that they were very ready to return home for a hot shower and a soft bed.

This event was part of the Stage 1 & Stage 2 Outdoor Education classes at Cornerstone.

The Year 9 Outdoor Education Class recently made their hiking debut – with many experiencing the delights and challenges of this type of event for the first time.

The students, with the support of Miss Sarah Durell and Mr Greg Spencer, took on a 30km loop out of Nannup, following the Timberline Trail and the Sidings Rail Trail.   They were required to carry everything they needed for the journey and were responsible for packing their supplies before the hike began.

For many of the students the event was challenging, but most are keen to participate in more hikes in the future.  They enjoyed favourable weather and the scenery was beautiful.  For shelter, they utilised huts along the route.

According to Greg Spencer, the event was a great success, however some students not only tasted hiking for the first time, but also insects (literally).  Further details were not provided on why sampling of our small bug-like friends was undertaken!  However, the experience did not seem to traumatise the participants, with plenty of smiles shared upon their return.

The Year 9 Hike is an annual event for Outdoor Education students on the Cornerstone Calendar.

The name Cardiac Hill may sound overwhelming for many of us, but not for a group of Outdoor Education students from Cornerstone.

A recent three day hike along a section of the Bibbulmun Track just south of Balingup proved to be a worthy challenge for these Year 10 students and their teachers.   The students carried everything they required for their two nights in the open, and according to staff, behaved responsibly and were a credit to their families and the college.

The highlights were many.  Rolling mists through the hills in the mornings, whilst cold, were truly spectacular.  Of particular note was the view from the top of Cardiac Hill on the second night and the intense fog the hikers awoke to.  On a more lighthearted note, was the ‘pet tick’ that one of the students ‘collected’ along the way, but who unfortunately did not survive his encounter with the team.

Apparently there were no low points at all - the outing was a pleasure for both staff and students alike.

There were some funny quotes, however, which deserve some recognition.   According to Mr Spencer, a difficult climb has its good points and apparently, ‘Knowledge becomes wisdom after pain.’  Miss Needham was equally philosophical, with her interpretation being that ‘Pain is just weakness leaving the body.’

Whilst these may leave the reader questioning the success of the hike, there is no doubt that each participant did have a very enjoyable and benefitial time away.   The smiling faces of the students upon their return vouch for that.

The name Cardiac Hill may sound overwhelming for many of us, but not for a group of Outdoor Education students from Cornerstone.

A recent three day hike along a section of the Bibbulmun Track just south of Balingup proved to be a worthy challenge for these Year 10 students and their teachers.   The students carried everything they required for their two nights in the open, and according to staff, behaved responsibly and were a credit to their families and the college.

The highlights were many.  Rolling mists through the hills in the mornings, whilst cold, were truly spectacular.  Of particular note was the view from the top of Cardiac Hill on the second night and the intense fog the hikers awoke to.  On a more lighthearted note, was the ‘pet tick’ that one of the students ‘collected’ along the way, but who unfortunately did not survive his encounter with the team.

Apparently there were no low points at all - the outing was a pleasure for both staff and students alike.

There were some funny quotes, however, which deserve some recognition.   According to Mr Spencer, a difficult climb has its good points and apparently, ‘Knowledge becomes wisdom after pain.’  Miss Needham was equally philosophical, with her interpretation being that ‘Pain is just weakness leaving the body.’

Whilst these may leave the reader questioning the success of the hike, there is no doubt that each participant did have a very enjoyable and benefitial time away.   The smiling faces of the students upon their return vouch for that.

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!