Building Spirit on the Bermuda Sloop


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or the past 11 years, BHS Year 9 students have had the opportunity to spend a week aboard the Spirit of Bermuda for a transformative “Bermuda Sloop” experience. The girls learn invaluable skills onboard the ship – the physics of sailing, navigation, the science of buoyancy and the importance of teamwork. A recent participant, Marli Spriggs ’23 sums up her experience, “It was a truly unforgettable experience and every day was fun and exciting. When we first arrived we were split into three groups: Forewatch, Mizzenwatch and Mainwatch. We learned about the different parts of the boat in our watch groups and, on the first day, we went sailing; learning how to dress the winches, put up and use the sails, steer the boat and tie important knots.”


Given that students must pay for their voyage on the Sloop, various fundraising initiatives are put in place throughout the year to help cover costs. The whole school participates in pirate grub days, and brave staff offer up themselves to become hostages and walk the plank into the chilly waters of Hamilton Harbour each March. They have raised thousands of dollars over the years to both support the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and ensure as many students take part in this life-changing voyage as possible.


BHS has also benefitted enormously from generous individual sponsorship over the years and most recently from Bermuda Container Line. This financial support means that students who otherwise would not be able to can have the opportunity to learn at sea.


Torchbearer Spring 2018 21


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