Liverpool students set sail on a tall ship voyage from Penzance

12 students recently sailed from Penzance to Birkenhead, embarking on an opportunity of a lifetime.

St Francis Xavier’s College (SFX) was invited by the Merseyside Adventure Sailing Trust (MAST) to participate in its Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience. This year, SFX invited its neighbouring schools, St Julie’s Catholic High School and Gateacre School to join the trip. Six students from SFX, four students from Gateacre and two students from St Julie’s took part in the voyage.

MAST is a charity founded by Jim Graves B.E.M that provides opportunities for young people to develop their full potential and improve their mental health through sail training.

After a long drive down to Penzance from Liverpool the day prior, the voyage began on 10 July. Before departing, students were provided with the necessary health and safety training and partook in teambuilding exercises to get to know their new crewmates.

On-board, they worked together to support the operation of the ship each day, developing their sail skills.

After five days at sea, the SFX, St Julie’s and Gateacre students arrived back in Birkenhead at Vittoria Dock on 14 July at around 10am.

The experience acted as a positive intervention for the young people involved as they were able to enhance their teamwork, communication, and resilience in a unique and exciting way.

David Hayes, headteacher of St Francis Xavier’s College, commented: “Our students had a fantastic time taking part in the Sir Ken and Lady Dodd Tall Ship Experience. It has been a pleasure to hear about the new relationships they have formed with others in addition to the impressive skills and knowledge that were taken away from it.

“Thank you to MAST for providing this exciting opportunity for our young people, the mentorship they have received is excellent.”