RISK Program
Resilience Impartation through Survival Knowledge
Comet Bay College RISK Program
RISK is an acronym for Resilience Impartation through Survival Knowledge, and is a program offered to Year 7 students enrolled at Comet Bay College.
It is a course of study that immerses participants in survival training culminating in two outdoor excursions.
The program teaches new skills and, through using small group ‘teams’, promotes a sense of belonging that also leads to an understanding of community roles and responsibilities. Through specific challenges built into the course, the students develop their self-confidence and communication skills. They grow their resilience and begin to gain a new and positive perspective on life’s challenges.
The RISK program addresses explicitly all of the 3 key ingredients that develop resilience:
· The ability to face a challenge
· The acquisition of new skills
· A sense of belonging
Some of the skills taught include: establishing a camp; setting up shelter; camp cooking; lighting a fire; navigation; first aid awareness; bushcraft, assembling and using survival equipment; leadership; problem-solving; lighting a fire in the wet; improvising shelter; cross country navigation; and much more.
The course uses various challenges, and the inherent course structure, to equip and inspire the students to gain a positive perspective on themselves, others, and the challenges they will face.
Program Delivery
The course is delivered through the curriculum. Students who choose RISK as an option will have a risk class twice a week.
Students enrolled in the risk program will also participate in the Warrior Program. This part of the program is designed to help young people improve their emotional regulation and develop skills that help them deal with anger, anxiety and stress in appropriate and safe ways.
The program promotes:
- Emotional awareness
- Anger as a valid emotion
- Identifying anger triggers
- Minimising and managing triggers
- Anger Coping strategies
- Emotional well being
- Self-confidence
- Positive self-talk
- Goal setting and positive choices
These topics are delivered in a format incorporating practical training with the theme of “The Warrior Code” Emphasis is placed on self-discipline, honour and service.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Principals of camouflage
- Basic tactics
- Care of Equipment
- Teamwork and support
- Positive Relationships
The practical element of the course will be held in the “wetlands” Parents are advised that this is a bush setting and therefore there is a possibility of a snake encounter. Students will operate on the paths within the wetlands and be briefed on the correct procedure should they encounter a snake.
Students will make extensive use of Laser Tag equipment during this part of the course.
There are limited places available and early registration of your expression of interest is recommended.
Further Information
This information in this application is intended to help introduce the course concept, benefits and practical considerations. Should you wish to find out more about this innovative and effective program please contact David Karcheski.
Email: David.Karcheski@education.wa.edu.au
Phone: 9553 8100

RISK Program 2023 – Expression of Interest CLOSED
RISK is an acronym for ‘Resilience Impartation through Survival Knowledge’ and is a program offered to Year 7 and 8 students (Boys AND Girls) enrolled at Comet Bay College.
When allocating places in the RISK program, priority is given to those students who will most benefit from the course. Your application will be reviewed, and candidates may be invited to an interview with the course coordinator.
Successful students will be notified by email.