It’s 6.30am and 20 students line up in the Cambridge High School gymnasium ready to be put to the test in a gruelling programme which will test their physical and mental ability while getting to know the local cops.
Cambridge High School student Brooke Suisted shows Constable Danica Hibdige how to stack the plate weights watched by Mason Murphy and the rest of her team. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
American Mason Ostrom, a recent arrival from Olympia in Washington State is waiting for them and ready to use his army training and gym instructor skills to challenge the students.
In the next hour as part of Blue Edge (Education, Development, Growth and Empowerment), a collaboration between Youth Aid and Cambridge Blue Light, they will learn the value of ‘listening before doing’ with a task involving weight plates, running with them and restacking them in less than 15 movements.
Dylan Grice during warm ups for Blue Edge at Cambridge HS. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Dylan Grice, left and Anre Ueckermann at warm ups for Blue Edge at Cambridge HS. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Cambridge Police Youth Aid officer Danica Hibdige is there doing the warmups – stars, squats and push ups – and then participates in the plate challenge.
The youth empowerment programme – at Cambridge High School for the first time – is held in schools for children aged 14 to 18.
Through activities such as physical challenges, team-building exercises, and mentoring sessions, Blue Edge aims to foster strong relationships between youth and the police, breaking down barriers and showing law enforcement in a positive light.
It helps students develop key life skills and gives an opportunity for police officers to engage with youth in a non-enforcement context.
A key aspect is the involvement of Blue Light police officers. Blue Light is a charitable organisation which has delivered youth programmes nationally for more than 40 years.
It is usually held over 10 weeks with two sessions a week – on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Cambridge High – and consists of an early morning tailored fitness programme, communal breakfasts, and inspirational guest speakers throughout the programme.
Cyrus Rangitutia, Gemma James and Kyle Rehua during Blue Edge at Cambridge HS. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
It ends next month with ‘The Longest Day’ starting at 6.30am for 12 hours where students carry out various activities culminating in a fire engine pull.
“The goal of Blue Edge is to help guide young people towards becoming positive leaders in their communities,” said Hibdige.
Teacher Jeff East who was instrumental in setting Blue Edge up at the school said the programme creates good connections with the police.
“These kids can see Dani in the street and super trust her because she was standing next to them and taking part in the challenges.”
The youths were nominated by the pastoral team and includes the first XV captain, school prefects and students down to Year Nine.
“This is something to be proud of when they finish,” he said.
“It’s not a boot camp but it does create good work habits and sets the foundation for them.”
American Mason Ostrom, left, and Constable Danica Hibdige during Blue Edge at Cambridge HS. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Ostrom is in New Zealand for a year with his wife, a physician in Hamilton, and 12-year-old son. East met him and saw he had the ability to devise some daunting challenges and hired him for the programme.
“This is about setting a mental puzzle and making it physical and then getting them to work as a team,” said Ostrom.
The weight plate challenge had mixed results as students learned the value of listening, choosing a leader and staying calm. It may have sounded easy but even Hibdige initially struggled with the task until one student put her right.
Breakfast together sure tasted good after that, the students agreed. As did a visit from police dog handler Vinnie Gibson and his dog Kavik. Proof the relationship between police and the students is developing nicely.
Emma Hanham during the weight plate session at Blue Edge, Cambridge HS. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
