Liverpool students set sail on a tall ship voyage from Penzance

In July, 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. The invitation follows the success and students’ enjoyment of the charity’s Three Cities Voyage last year which saw them sailing from Dublin. 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 came together to take part in the MAST 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. In April, its first office, based in Birkenhead, was officially opened by Lady Anne Dodd, president of the trust. After a long drive down to Penzance from Liverpool the day prior, the voyage to Birkenhead began on 10 July. On-board, students worked together to support the operation of the ship each day, developing their sail skills. Whether it was through steering the ship or climbing the rigs, a practical taste of what careers in the maritime industries look like was appreciated. All students enjoyed the voyage and left feeling motivated to continue fulfilling their potential in other aspects of their lives. 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.”