From the moment they stepped aboard, students were placed into mixed-school crews, encouraging them to connect with young people from different backgrounds and quickly develop new friendships. Together, they took responsibility for the daily running of the ship, preparing meals, handling sails, scrubbing decks, cleaning cabins and working as a team to keep life onboard running smoothly.

Each day brought new challenges and adventures, whether sailing on the open water, exploring ashore or taking part in energetic crew competitions in the evenings. Along the way, students developed practical skills, discovered new strengths and learned the value of stepping outside their comfort zones.

The voyage brought together students from three other schools, creating a vibrant community united by shared experiences and a willingness to embrace every opportunity. Without the distractions of technology, students immersed themselves in the natural environment, formed lasting friendships and gained a deeper appreciation for collaboration, resilience and personal growth.

Year 10 student Lucy Smale described the voyage as one of the most memorable experiences of her life.

“Spirit was one of the best experiences of my life, and it’s something I’ll never forget. I made lifelong friends, challenged myself in ways I never thought I could, and created memories that I’ll always treasure.

Sailing the boat was an unforgettable experience, and every challenge helped me grow. Spirit taught me that stepping outside my comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences, and I’m so grateful to everyone who made this journey possible.

I would recommend Spirit of Adventure to everyone.”

For Rosie Reynolds, it was the people who made the experience truly special.

“The Spirit of Adventure voyage was an amazing opportunity that I recommend so highly to any girl who wants to experience something new and exciting.

It was five days of being challenged and making unforgettable memories with a group of girls that grew so close in such a short period of time.

Looking back, the early morning swims, jumping off rocks, rafting into beaches and cutting veggies in night watch groups were all amazing, but the thing that really made the trip so great was the people. The instructors and crew were all really welcoming and definitely patient when we were learning to put up the sails. All of us girls grew so close throughout the trip, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity.

My one note would be that the absolute worst part about the trip was having to leave.”

Noomi Riley reflected on how quickly friendships formed and how the experience encouraged everyone to embrace new challenges.

“When I first went on Spirit of Adventure, I knew I would leave with so many fun memories, but not only that, I left with friendships that felt like they had been built for years.

We were told on the boat that when no one is on it, the life is gone – it is the people that fill the life of the boat. After reflecting on my trip, I couldn’t agree more.

Every day we were challenged with something different, but you could never escape the 6.30am wake-up and jump off the boat! Although I was afraid to do it at first, cheering each other on and laughing afterwards turned something I dreaded into one of the highlights of the trip.

I thought that spending five nights without my phone would be the biggest challenge, but once I stepped foot on the boat I was distracted by fun and entertaining people. I loved the feeling of being truly present and enjoying every moment of the experience.

I highly encourage taking the risk and signing up for this adventure of a lifetime. I came away with lifelong memories, incredible friendships and so much more confidence than I had when I first stepped onto the boat.”

Charlie Mason had the best time of her life.

“It was the best experience and thing that I have ever done. The friendships that I have made are going to last a lifetime, all the girls were so lovely and sweet and made the time a truly memorable experience. Trying new things and pushing myself have given me some more confidence that I didn’t know I had.

The friendships are genuinely what made the trip amazing for me. I talk to them every day now and we’re trying to arrange a catch up. Even after only five days with these girls, the bonds we formed were strong. They made me laugh, cry and so happy I can’t describe it. When we were all singing together on the last night, I think that everybody felt included and like we were part of a family.

I would recommend this experience to anybody, with the kind staff, fun activities like singing and rock jumping, and the skills that you learn, it is suited for everybody. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to go and so grateful to the people who made it happen. I would do it again, and I am likely to go on the 10-day voyage because I had the best time of my life.”

Harriet Taylor found the experience has embraced her to always challenge herself.

“Spirit of Adventure was one of the greatest opportunities I have ever been given, and it is an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I was challenged in ways I never expected, and every day gave me the chance to learn something new. I discovered so much about myself, including that I can achieve more than I thought possible. The experience taught me resilience, confidence, teamwork, and the importance of stepping outside my comfort zone. It showed me that growth happens when you are willing to embrace new challenges and support those around you, while keeping a positive mindset and attitude can improve your outlook on a situation .

One of the most meaningful parts of the voyage was the friendships I made. I met people from all the different parts of NZ with their own stories, personalities, and strengths. Even though we were strangers at the beginning of the trip, we quickly became a team, encouraging and supporting one another through every challenge. The laughter, conversations, and memories we shared made the experience even more special, and I know many of these friendships will stay with me long after the voyage. 

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this opportunity possible. Spirit of Adventure has given me memories, friendships, and life lessons that I will carry with me forever. It has inspired me to continue challenging myself, to believe in my abilities, and to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way. I will always look back on this experience with gratitude , knowing it helped shape me into a stronger, more confident, and more resilient girl .

Experiences like the Spirit of Adventure voyage encourage students to discover what they are capable of beyond the classroom. By embracing challenge, supporting one another and taking on new responsibilities, our students returned home with greater confidence, stronger leadership skills and memories that will stay with them for years to come.”