If you feel like it has been a bit cold this winter, spare a thought for Northshore Christian Grammar School (NCGS) students and teachers who have braved sub-zero nights and long days of trekking to conquer the Cape-To-Cape track, which stretches from Dunsborough to Augusta!
The ambitious trip, planned by the ultra-fit Mr Nathan Perrett (champion swimmer) and ultra-funny Mr Stuart Chisholm (NCGS Principal) took the students three full days to complete, with the students walking, climbing and hiking up to 22 kilometres per day and camping each night in the natural surroundings.
Mr Chisholm spent part of his 3-week holiday break hiking the track to ensure that the students would be safe through the coastal walk. He then joined them after the official hike, meeting them for an ice cream at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory for a celebratory ice cream and celebrating the group’s accomplishments.
“I am glad that Nathan [Perrett] has caught a little bit of God’s country for our SCEA colleagues in these photos. When I took the walk myself, I was just amazed at the natural beauty around me each step of the way. It truly is something beautiful – and our students worked hard and enjoyed every minute of it!”
Mr Perrett was ready to head back and walk another 58 kilometres at the conclusion of the 3-day journey, but he paused just long enough to give us a few words about the students.
“The team commented to me about the unforgettable views, the new friendships formed over the course of the journey and the selfless acts of teamwork – like sharing the load of a struggling peer’s pack. This is why we do what we do.”
Mr Chisholm shared a devotional thought about the trip:
“I doubt any of the kids would have joined this trip if they knew that the weather would be terrible, and the pack was going to dig into their shoulders, and their feet would blister in wet, sandy socks, but the sense of accomplishment that they got from enduring and finishing this hike was huge. The greatest achievements in life often take significant personal sacrifice.”
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
– 1 Peter 5:10
