ABSEILING into a water-filled canyon, navigating through World Heritage rainforest, or gaining volunteer firefighter and surf life saving credentials – are all challenges boys from The Armidale School faced during Activities Week.
Cadets trekked, canoed and canyoned at Nymboida Canoe Centre near Grafton, as Year 10 Pioneers made their way through Washpool and Gibraltar Range National Parks east of Glen Innes.
Meanwhile Year 11 boys in the Rural Fire Service program gained their chainsaw certificate at Armidale TAFE and helped the Dumaresq brigade, or achieved their surf bronze medallions, as part of a program with Sawtell Surf Life Saving Club.
“Activities Week inspires a wide range of emotions, from excitement about the promise of physical challenge to relief at the break from class, through to trepidation and even fear of what lies ahead,” headmaster Murray Guest said.
“All of this is good,” he said. “The program has been carefully designed to be achievable for all, whilst presenting something new and challenging enough to inspire new confidence and perhaps even shape habits and self-belief.”
The week placed big demands on staff and Mr Guest said it was a contribution that said much about the culture of the school.
“It is never taken for granted, though,” he said.
“I offer my considerable thanks to all who have made the past week such a success and a time that will be remembered by the boys in their care,” he said.
