Hampshire education news - March 2014
Setting sail
16 year old Bedales student, Ally Swain, has recently returned from the journey of a lifetime as crew member aboard tall ship Tenacious operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), which offered five 16-25 year olds the chance to sail from Palma to Barcelona. Sixth former Ally applied straight away and became one of the youngest in the crew.
Commenting on the experience, Ally said: “Sailing has always been something that I’ve been keen to do as many of my family members also sail. The JST is a really worthwhile cause, aiming to improve the lives of disabled and able-bodied people alike through the challenge of crewing a tall ship together. We were taught everything about the running of the ship, from mess duty to raising the sails; everyone was equal with people of all abilities working together.”
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Life changing inventions
Max Sullivan, mechanical engineering student from Andover, is part of a group developing a prosthetic fin for an inspirational mum who is learning to scuba dive following a horrific accident where she lost her leg and almost died.
Sue Wright, 53, is fulfilling her dream to explore the underwater world with the help of the Eastcote branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) nearly six years after she was hit by a van just a short distance from her home.
Determined to get her once active life back on track, she enlisted the help of Eastcote Sub-Aqua Club instructor Nigel Ealand to teach her to scuba dive, who realised there was nothing currently on the market to aid Sue in her quest to become a fully qualified BSAC Ocean Diver.
Undeterred, the pair have turned to a group of mechanical engineering students from Brunel University who are designing Sue a prosthetic fin which she can use safely on her underwater adventures.
Sue, who is also preparing to take part in the Antarctic leg of an expedition in February organised by the Jubilee Sailing Trust, explained how she has been struggling to swim underwater as she can only use one fin on her right foot. She said: “I get tired as my right leg, which was also badly damaged in the accident, has to do all the work. The Genium knee prosthesis I use on a day-to-day basis is electronic but, as electronics and water do not mix, I need a mechanical leg I can use for my diving. I am delighted with the efforts of the Brunel students and I’m really looking forward to seeing the results of their research.”
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Supporting through sport
Rookwood School have recently revealed they are to become an Andover Rugby Football Club Academy Sponsor, assuming ‘Principal Sponsor’ status and pledging to support the local Under 10 Squad for the next two seasons. Andover Rugby Club will continue to support the young players with the expectation that a number of the children will achieve county selection.
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Oxbridge entrants at Salesian College
Mr Patrick Wilson, Headmaster at Salesian College has commented on the excellent success rate of their Oxbridge Programme by revealing that several of their students have been awarded places at Oxford and Cambridge. He says, “The students are helped by a formal process of preparation through mock interviews with external academics, supported by subject mentors. We are very proud of the students who have been offered places; it is not only about identifying potential candidates, but supporting these students through the whole application process.”
