Daniel Matene-Leo (pictured from left), Michael Nolan, Neo Calder and Lloyd Shields are excited to be among the nine students sailing on R. Tucker Thompson's first All Hands On Deck programme. Photo / Denise Piper
Daniel Matene-Leo (pictured from left), Michael Nolan, Neo Calder and Lloyd Shields are excited to be among the nine students sailing on R. Tucker Thompson's first All Hands On Deck programme. Photo / Denise Piper
Nine students with intellectual disabilities will set sail on the adventure of a lifetime, aboard Northland’s traditional sailing ship R. Tucker Thompson.
The Blomfield Special School students, aged between 15 and 21, will be the first to take part in the ship’s new programme, All Hands On Deck.
While theBay of Islands-based schooner has been running week-long youth development programmes for more than 20 years, students with intellectual disabilities are usually unable to attend because of the extra supervision required.
The new, inclusive, programme was the vision of youth manager Kelly Hamilton, who wanted to give opportunities to those who often miss out, said R. Tucker Thompson chief executive Catherine Langford.
The programme has been shortened to four days and three nights, and will have extra teachers on board as well as the ship’s staff.
But Langford said many of the tasks will be the same, including an early morning swim, a day adventure with Project Island Song and the need for chores to be completed.
Nineteen-year-old Lloyd Shields said he is looking forward to the challenge of cooking aboard the ship, which he expects will be more difficult than cooking in the school’s cafe, Cafe Ako.
“I want to learn about how to be a perfect partner,” he said.
The R. Tucker Thompson is a traditional schooner, which has been running youth development programmes from its Bay of Islands base for more than 20 years.
Michael Nolan, 18, said he is most looking forward to the challenge of climbing the ship’s mast.
He was also excited about the chance to swim each morning.
Daniel Matene-Leo, 16, who is part of the Blomfield unit at Kamo High School, is also looking forward to learning how to climb.
“I’m excited about the experience and the skills we’ll learn through our trip,” he said.
“I haven’t personally climbed anything on a boat before, so I’m interested how that will go.”
Neo Calder, 20, who uses a device to communicate, said he was looking forward to spending time with his best friends.
He also hoped to have a hot chocolate aboard the ship.
Blomfield transition adviser Shahni Judkins said the trip will be a new experience for the students, with plenty of opportunities for growth and independence.
“It’s giving them a chance to challenge themselves and prove that they can do it.”
Judkins hoped the outdoor adventure will be the first of many for senior Blomfield students.
Community support has helped cover the $22,500 cost of the voyage, including an $11,000 grant from Sport Northland’s Tū Manawa fund.
Whangārei Lions Club donated $4000 and successfully applied on behalf of the school for another $4000 from Lions Clubs New Zealand’s national Heads Up for Kids fund.
Another disability community organisation has also offered support.
Judkins said the students have also done their bit, with two fundraising lunches at Cafe Ako, a stall at a recent Special Olympics basketball tournament and raffle sales.
The first All Hands on Deck programme will sail October 7 to 10.
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.
