We support Peterborough school pupils' voyage of adventure
For the thirteenth year we have funded pupils from local schools to take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity with Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT).
Pupils from St John Fisher Catholic High School, Ormiston Bushfield Academy, Hampton Gardens School, Ken Stimpson Academy, Jack Hunt Academy, Queen Katherine Academy, Nene Park Academy, and City of Peterborough Academy spent five days crewing the Challenger yachts and sailing off the south coast. As well as learning to sail, the 80 young people are fully integrated into the crew and are responsible for running the vessels 24/7, which includes learning to navigate and read charts, as well as assisting in the galley and helping to maintain the ships.
The experience helps the young people to gain in confidence and learn new life skills as well as experience activities and offers a huge boost to their self-esteem. It also teaches them teamwork, co-operation, and leadership, leaving them with the confidence and willingness to take on new responsibilities and overcome challenges.
This year, the schools took part in an additional challenge - to make their voyages environmentally sustainable, by minimising engine use and maximising sailing time, and to recycle as much as possible. The winning school was the City of Peterborough Academy who not only recycled 70% of their waste and spent the most time powered by sail alone, they also took the project one step further to look at how they could apply the lessons they have learnt at sea back at home.
Here's the winning team, City of Peterborough Academy, receiving their environmental award:
Our Chief Executive, Claire Higgins, explains why the company supports this project:
“A key strand of our continued community investment strategy is around empowering the next generation, and this project is a great example of how we can do just that. Some of the students have struggled at school or suffer from low self-confidence and so to take them into a completely new environment, so far out of their comfort zone, and offer them the chance to succeed sometimes far above their own expectations, gives them such a huge feeling of achievement especially after climbing to the very top of the mast. And not to forget, it's great fun too!
“I am delighted that this year we were able to expand the great work the voyages do by including the environmental competition between the schools. It is so vital that we integrate environmental responsibility into all we do, and encouraging the next generation to view things from a sustainable perspective is vital to tackling the climate emergency we are facing.”
Nicola Treacy, Principal, City of Peterborough Academy, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our students for embracing this challenge with such enthusiasm and commitment. Winning the sustainability competition demonstrates not only their determination to succeed but also their understanding of the importance of protecting our environment. Experiences like this give our young people confidence, resilience, and skills that will stay with them for life. We are grateful to CKH and Tall Ships Youth Trust for making this opportunity possible.”
Kirsty French, Director of Youth Development and Outdoor Learning at TSYT said:
“These voyages are so much more than sailing. Young people discover strengths they never knew they had, from setting sails, to cooking for the crew or finding the courage to climb the mast. Learning new skills, building relationships and learning how to adapt and take responsibility, these are the skills that support them on their own journey's moving forward. This year's focus on sustainability added a great layer of knowledge and understanding, showing how small actions at sea can inspire positive change back on land, both for the environment and our crews themselves. We're proud to work with Cross Keys Homes to make these transformational experiences possible."