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.

13 Year 11 students from Mr Spencer’s Outdoor Education Class, recently made they way down a section of the Blackwood River near Karridale by canoe.

As usual, the weather had its challenging moments, with wind and rain providing some less than pleasant conditions, but for the most part, was well suited to the event.

As far as the trip was concerned, Mr Spencer reported that it went well, and the participants all enjoyed the experience. 

When it came to highlights, he explained that one student in particular, had difficulty in getting into her canoe.  Given that this skill was an obvious and absolute necessity before even commencing the trip, it did provide a few lighthearted moments.  Her willingness to persevere and laugh at the situation added to the atmosphere of the outing.

When the students were finally on the river, their two day adventure went remarkably well.

This outing is an annual event on the Outdoor Education Studies calendar.

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.

 Another successful Outdoor Education Hike has come to a close for the College’s Year 11 & 12 students.

12 students, along with Mr Greg Spencer and Mrs Penny Ravenscroft, spent three days walking along the coastline from Cape Leeuwin to Boranup.  The hike was part of their assessment in Outdoor Education and involved the students planning the event on their own.  Whilst staff were on hand to offer guidance, the students were responsible for all elements of the trek, and according to staff, did a great job.

The highlights for the party were the blowholes and some of the soft sand sections of beach walking.   As expected, the scenery along our beautiful coast was also a benefit of being in the great outdoors.

However, as is common when camping out in the middle of winter, the weather wasn’t always the kindest.  Infact, whilst the group made its way along the coastline, the College had wind so severe that a large tree blew over in the car park.   On the first night, whilst many of us were tucked up safely at home, these students and their teachers were huddled in tents during some of the wildest weather of the season to try and keep as warm and dry as possible.

Despite this uncontrolled element, the hike was a great success and staff were pleased with the outcomes the students delivered.  Well done!

The 2010 Outdoor Education Expedition has gone off without a hitch, with participants returning after 3 days on the beautiful Blackwood River.

Students and staff entered the water at Sues Bridge and canoed down over the following days until they reached Warner Glen.  13  Year 11 & 12 students and supporting staff braved the coldest of weather to explore all that the tranquil surroundings offered. 

The Year 12 students took the role of leading the trip, and their tasks included briefing and debriefing, navigation, risk assessment management and minimising the impact the group had on the environment by utilising the ‘leave no trace’ principle.

According to one of the supporting staff, Mr Greg Spencer, the event was hugely successful.

”We were fortunate to have absolutely fantastic weather, although it did get down to 3.5 degrees on the first night”.

This expedition is part of the Outdoor Education Course offered at Cornerstone, and required the students to be self sufficient, carrying everything they need for the duration of the expedition.  It is an annual event on the College calendar.

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.