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Second School Session for 2024

20 September 2024

The second of the school sailing sessions took place this week from 16th to 18th, with 45 pupils and 10 teachers taking to the seas on board Swan.

Three more westside schools were involved in the second round of trips this season - Scalloway, Hamnavoe and Whiteness. The trips were funded by the Zetland Educational Trust, which has supported school trips on board Swan for a number of years.

As an island community it is important that young people learn about the sea, and our maritime heritage from an early age as it forms an important part of Shetland's culture. But also offers a wealth of learning and career opportunities. Sail training skills are highly beneficial to young people as they learn practical tasks, but also team working, cooperation and increased confidence. The kinds of skills and experience gained on board Swan during a sail training day are simply not availble in a classroom.

A day at sea is often a new experience for pupils who take part in these sessions. The feedback given is very positive and many are keen to go again as soon as they can.

"... I thought I was going to feek sick but I did not feel sick once. Now I hope more people become interested about the Swan so the Swan lives forever."

Grace, Whitness Primary

Earlier in the year, pupils from Aith, Walls, Skeld and Sandness schools also had the opportunity to take day trips on the Swan, thanks to funding from Cooke Scotland. The funding provided from Zetland Educational Trust and Cooke Scotland to fund the trips, is also subsidised by funding from Shetland Charitable Trust who partially fund the operating costs for the Swan Trust and make these trips entirely free to attend for Shetland school bairns.

In total 112 school pupils have had the fully funded opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy new experiences on board Swan this year. Swan Chair, Mary Irvine said "For an island community, providing opportunities for our young people to learn about the sea and our maritime past is so important. Fishing, hobby sailing, aquaculture and industrial shipping are all an ongoing part of Shetland life and our economy. Whether these bairns discover a love for the sea and go on to become world champion sailors, fishermen, ship Masters or just find their vocation on dry land, their early experience on board Swan will be one they will never forget."

"Whiteness primary 6/7 had such fun thank you. We all loved the Swan, putting up the masts, doing the quiz, driving the boat and more. Thank you for teaching us about the Swan but most of all thank you for being kind. WE woudl love to come again."

Merry, Whiteness Primary

Swan Trustees would like to express their thanks to the Zetland Educational Trust, Cooke Scotland and the Shetland Charitable Trust for enabling these valuable educational experiences to take place.

If any Shetland school would like to put their own pupils forward to receive this experience in 2025, they should send a request to [email protected].

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