March 1st, 2010.

To the Class of 2011,

For twenty five years Class Afloat has followed a very simple ideal, that by taking children out to sea and across the world, we might build a more peaceful future for us all.  Over the last 25 years, our program has sailed untold miles with more than two thousand young people.  Class Afloat is about community, teamwork and a real appreciation of our role in a global age.  We have been privileged to do so, we are teachers, and our classroom has become the world.  

In February, as you doubtless have heard we lost our primary sailing vessel the S.V. Concordia at sea.  However, a vessel, no matter how precious, does not define us, people do and all our students are home safely.  Today it is clear that our first thoughts are on how we ensure the education of our present students.  Many of these young people are on their way to Lunenburg over the next week to begin studies with us here at the Academy.  Our campus here is one of the most unique in the world and we are fortunate that this small town, which knows sailing so well, is our home.  Our present students are coming home to finish a very special education and will graduate as the Class of 2010 in June.  

In taking care of the present, we must always look to the future.  In September 2010, we will begin our program for your children in Lunenburg Nova Scotia at the Academy.  We will be able to accommodate a maximum of 36 students in our high school full year program.  These 36 students from grades 11, 12 will form the core of the Class of 2011 crew.  Acadia University students will join us in the second semester.  In Lunenburg, we will provide the top quality education for which Class Afloat has become known.  It will be a dynamic boarding environment.  As we prepare for a semester out at sea through sail training, we will also take advantage of the bounty of fall in Nova Scotia.  As the leaves turn, we will hike Cape Split, explore Kejimkujik Park and perhaps even pick apples in the Annapolis Valley.   Together our students will form the bonds of community that are the core of a seafaring crew.

In February, we will begin our second semester aboard one of the world’s great sail training vessels.  There is much yet to do in this planning, however, the adventure Class Afloat proposes will take us to the South Pacific.  On these islands, Class Afloat students will explore Polynesia and beyond.  They will walk in Darwin’s steps on Galapagos and trace the voyages of Captain Cook who drew out understanding from the unknown seas.  Those who join us for the fall semester will be assured a place in the Spring.  We look forward to also being able to accommodate sailing semester only students as well, but as yet, the number of those places remaining has not been confirmed.  We are certain, however, that if you have already registered for a single semester, we will have a place for you.   

Class Afloat looks forward to beginning anew with your children.  We are resolute in our commitment to the planet and to education that promotes peace in the future.  We hope that you will join with us in this dream. 

It is a beautiful dream.

The Class Aloat Team

What does it mean for an organization to be thankful?  First it means all home safe and sound from the sea.  

For us it also means the hands who came forward to help us over the last several days.  Each of us at Class Afloat is struck by the gifts of friendship and support.  From the Coffee dropped off in the midst of the work night, to the MacDonald’s brought to our children at the hotel in Brazil, to the offer of a jet plane to help us move around the country.  Each of the people below has given to our organization without thought of recognition or reward.  We have made every effort to ensure that this list is as comprehensive as possible; it will be updated on an ongoing basis.  Please know that your contributions, kind words and offers of support have not gone unappreciated.

Our crew, teachers and students are our focus today.  Let us not forget that human kindness is what life is all about. 

The Class Afloat Team 

THANK YOU

Founded in 1984, Class Afloat offers young people from around the world the opportunity, in the microcosm of a sailing ship and the macrocosm of the planet, to challenge a rigorous programme of academic study while engaging in sensitive and sustainable practices, developing leadership skills and raising cross-cultural awareness.  Ours is a truly global educational experience as we challenge our students to affect positive change in their local, national and international communities.

A sense of community rests at the heart of all Class Afloat programmes; living and working together in pursuit of common goals allows our students to develop personal leadership and accountability and to celebrate individual and collective contributions to the school mosaic.  With Class Afloat, students are encouraged to stretch themselves outside their comfort zone to embrace global issues and set personal goals, all in a safe and supportive community-oriented environment which inspires both passion and compassion for others and our planet.

Class Afloat seeks students who are truly committed to academic excellence, personal integrity and  global leadership; we invite you to join us for your passport to education!

Lunenburg Nova Scotia - This weekend will be a time when the Class Afloat family comes together again.  Our staff, the professional sailors who acted with such courage under pressure, and the students, themselves heroes, are coming back to where the journey began in September. 

40 of the 48 students on board have confirmed they are joining us to complete the year at our Historic Lunenburg campus.  We are thankful for the continued trust of our parents.  Over the coming months, we will focus on the education of students in accepting and using this experience as a positive in their lives.  The Class of 2010 has measured themselves against the most trying of circumstances.  It is our hope that the work done over the coming months makes them even stronger. 

Class Afloat will be spending the weekend working intensively with our counseling team, parents, teachers and students.  It is likely to be an emotional time.  Our students and staff have been very much in the public eye over the past few weeks.  It is our hope that we will have the opportunity to come together as a community and process the emotions that are associated with recent experiences. As such, it is our sincere hope that the students and their families will be permitted the privacy they require to fully be able to benefit from our weekend event.  If they are under pressure to respond to outward questions or pressures, it will be difficult to feel safe enough to be able to manage some of the inward feelings they may be experiencing.  We hope that the Media will allow us the space and time to ensure the health of our students, their families, and our staff.   

Class Afloat looks forward to its return to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.  Our school at the Academy will be a vibrant part of the community and we look forward to spring together in Nova Scotia.  Lunenburg as a sailing community has stepped forward to help us in the journey to come.  It is wonderful for us that each of our children is safe and sound.  Now the warmth of the Lunenburg community will enfold our children, give them a chance to tell their story and to work forward to building a better future. 

A statement from Captain Curry will be released electronically to this distribution list in the coming days.   

Nigel McCarthy
902 634 1895