Ryde School students enjoy a right Royal afternoon
1st October 2018
A dozen sixth form students from Ryde School volunteered to help top Isle of Wight chef Robert Thompson serve hundreds of guests at the Naming Ceremony of Wightlink’s new hybrid energy flagship Victoria of Wight at Fishbourne.
They helped hand out the gourmet canapés both on board the £30million ferry and at the reception at the neighbouring Royal Victoria Yacht Club after HRH Sophie Countess of Wessex carried out the traditional bottle smashing against the ship’s bow.
Sixteen year old Matthew Lane from Wootton was one of the young people who exchanged the classroom for Victoria of Wight as the new ship took guests on a mini-cruise to Osborne Bay.
“I thought this would be a great experience, especially if I want to get a holiday job later in a pub or restaurant,” explains Matthew who has career ambitions to become an actor. “I enjoyed meeting people onboard and talking to them about Wightlink’s new ferry.”
Director of Studies at Ryde School Damian Blewitt says: “It was a great opportunity for our young people to build their confidence and develop the ‘soft skills’ in demand by employers. They are all studying for the International Baccalaureate, which has a focus on community service, so this was very appropriate for them.”
Wightlink Chief Executive Keith Greenfield adds: “We enjoyed welcoming the students onboard and hope they will want to travel on Victoria on Wight again before too long.”
Picture caption: Charm Murphy, Matthew Lane and Teegan Skinmore on board Victoria of Wight.
For more information contact Karen Woods on 07775 694266 or [email protected]