Students Crew Tall Ship

Matthew Moss High School students on the Queens Galadriel Bermudan Ketch Tall Ship

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

In July a group of young people from Matthew Moss High School were selected for a week’s sailing experience from Gosport, Plymouth around the Isle of Wight and Poole in a Bermudan Ketch Tall Ship as our Extended Curriculum Trip.

The thirteen young people were chosen from year 9. We had an eclectic mix of young learners, all of whom had the enthusiasm and dedication to support each other though the demanding sailing trip.

The young people had to work together as a team with the crew of the Queens Galadriel helping with the general running of the vessel, cooking and cleaning and working on deck as actively involved members of the crew, allowing them a rare opportunity and a fantastic chance to see behind the scenes of a seafaring vessel.

The youngsters were absolutely fantastic throughout the week. At times it was extremely hard work, especially keeping watch through the day in the scorching heat and in shifts, which was both physically and mentally exhausting, but each one pulled through effectively, learning to put the needs of the ship and the crew before their own.

It was a fantastic residential experience teaching valuable life skills whilst providing a genuine once in a life time experience to every single person in the group and opening their eyes to the world that’s out there.

Elizabeth Cootes a Teaching Assistant from Matthew Moss High School said: “I think residentials are excellent ways for young people to help raise their aspirations and encourage them to take part in activities, proving to themselves they are capable of achieving more challenging and exciting opportunities once they are given to them.”

The group were given the chance to gain an RYA Competent Crew Qualification which teaches the fundamentals of crewing such as knots, nautical terms, sail handling and helming, as well as how to "live" in the environment of a cruising yacht. Safety is paramount in all RYA courses and the group was taught how to operate flares, lifejackets, safety harnesses, life rafts, how to assist in the recovery of a man overboard.

All sixteen members of the group were awarded the RYA Competent Crew Certificate, expanding their horizons and enabling them the option to pursue work as a crew member in the future should they wish to.

Ella Jackson, an enthused young learner on the residential, said: “As a young person I found this experience a very good one. It opened my eyes to the wider industry of work out there. While sailing on the boat, it really inspired me to look at what’s out there in the future, as I really enjoyed the once in a life time experience. Cooking daily for nineteen people made everyone work together as a team but also meant each person had to be more independent and take personal responsibility for their own actions.”

Extended Curriculum has provided many young people with the opportunity to engage in positive activities while encouraging them to use their local areas in a more safe and enjoyable way. This opportunity was organised by Matthew Moss High School through The Cirdan Sailing Trust, and supported by their Voyage of Discovery Fund, so a big thank you to them from the entire group!