It was all white water and high wires for some sixth graders at Purvis Primary School two weeks ago.

For ten students were selected to go to Paget Island on March 1 as part of an outward bound experience.

They spent the day canoeing and also needed nerves of steel and a head for heights to walk a high rope -- a bridge made of just three ropes stretched across two telegraph poles suspended high in the air.

The idea behind the experience was to help build character and trust amongst students and their peers.

Police Constable Mark Norman ran the programme and taught the students everything they needed to know to meet their challenges for the day.

"My favourite part was the canoe football,'' said Jason Smith. "You had to throw the ball into the other teams canoe.

"We learned team work and problem solving, and our team won two to one.'' Michelle Looby learned to face her fears when she took to the high rope.

"It was really scary,'' she said. "And I started to chicken out half way up the ladder.

"But the other students encouraged me and I said I would do it for my class.

"It was scary because when I looked down it wasn't moving.

"I thought I would fall, but the guy said he wouldn't let me fall and I made it across.'' Tiffany Harvey's fears of sinking while canoeing were laid to rest with a rousing round of `Row Row Row Your Boat'.

"I got scared when we went out in the deep water,'' Tiffany said. "And Mark kept singing Titanic to make us scared, but we sang `Row Row Row Your Boat' to drown him out.'' The Purvis Primary School students thoroughly enjoyed their day out at Paget Island.

Now the second half of the class cannot wait for May to come when they get to have their outward bound experience.

Stroke, stroke, stroke: Purvis Primary sixth graders were accompanied by PC Mark Norman, seen steering the canoe, as they took part in an outward bound experience at Paget Island.