High school students secure scholarships to sail STS Leeuwin II

Hardworking students from Karratha’s two high schools will get to experience manning the sails of a tall ship after being awarded a scholarship to travel on the STS Leeuwin II. The tall ship has been up in the Pilbara since July performing sailing treks around Dampier and down to Exmouth. The 12 students from Hedland Senior High School and St Luke’s College will be split into two groups, with one group to take part on the Exmouth trip while the second team will join the Dampier archipelago voyage. STS Leeuwin boatswain Scott Suffling said the scholarship removed the financial barriers to joining a voyage. Mr Suffling said the voyage was an opportunity for the kids to learn leadership skills, grow in confidence and also learn the essential sailing skills. “They'll do everything. We're a working ship, so they will set the sails, loose the sails and hand (furl)the sails at the end of the day,” Mr Suffling said. “They'll be in charge of steering the ship, 24/7 we will always have someone on the wheel. They'll learn knots and sailing skills. “If they're capable enough we’ll even start handing over things like commanding the ship,” he said.