Spirit of Adventure

Spirit of Adventure

On Wednesday, 4th June, I had the privilege of taking 10 Year 11 students to Auckland to embark on the adventure of a lifetime — the Spirit of Adventure. We spent five days and nights aboard a sailing ship, fully immersed in a wide range of hands-on maritime activities.

Each day began with a challenge: a 6:30am plunge into the ocean, followed by a brisk five-second freshwater rinse on deck — a shock to the system, but an invigorating and memorable way to start the day!

Throughout the voyage, students participated in a variety of sailing tasks, including rigging, navigation, and knot-tying. On the final day, every student climbed the mast and rigging to the very highest point — an incredible accomplishment that pushed many well beyond their comfort zones. Another highlight for many was the thrill of rope-swinging and jumping off the boat into the open water.

Life on board wasn’t just about adventure. Students learned the importance of responsibility and teamwork by scrubbing the deck, cleaning the cabins and toilets to an exceptional standard, and helping to prepare vegetables to feed the 50 people on board.

We also rafted ashore to complete a range of team-building activities, hiked through stunning landscapes, and explored beautiful beaches. The natural highlights were unforgettable — pods of dolphins swimming alongside the ship, penguins darting through the waves, and even a couple of majestic whales.

Although our journey started with challenging weather — so severe we couldn’t sail on the first day — the students remained positive and made the absolute most of every opportunity.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our students not only gained valuable life skills, but also made lasting friendships with peers from other schools all over the North Island. Coming from a small town like Geraldine, they especially appreciated the chance to connect with students from urban areas and learn about different lifestyles and schooling experiences.

As a teacher, I couldn’t have been prouder. Our Geraldine High School students threw themselves into every aspect of the voyage with enthusiasm and maturity. Their behaviour was exemplary, and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful to have shared this unforgettable journey with them.