The prestigious event took place on Thursday 26th November and awarded the accomplishments of students from schools across Teesside that took part in two of our amazing programmes.

Students from Nunthorpe School, Unity City Academy, Beverley School, The Kings Academy and Macmillan Academy all graduated with flying colours from their six-week cadetship. As part of this programme, youngsters visited different businesses around Teesside to learn about the global supply chain in a project which entailed following the journey of a mobile phone. Accredited by Industrial Cadets, the children not only received a certificate of achievement from High Tide, but also a bronze level certificate of accreditation.

The Port-to-Port participants were students from The Kings Academy, Laurence Jackson School, Dyke House Academy and Grangefield Academy. After an exciting once-in-a-lifetime voyage across the sea to Rotterdam from Teesport, they attended the graduation and celebrated their new knowledge and achievements with proud grins on their faces. The voyage itself involved learning all about the port industry and just how vital it is to local businesses that sit alongside the River Tees, as well as their European counterparts. Meeting with different businesses which thrive both here on Teesside and in Rotterdam, such as Huntsman, Tata Steel and PD Ports, they are now able to talk more freely about how these operations work.

All students who participated in the Port-to-Port and the Cadetship programmes created a presentation of their experience which they presented wonderfully in front of 80 attendees made up of family, schools, industry members and High Tide representatives and trustees. They really did do themselves proud and were all fantastic ambassadors for the Foundation and everything that we depict. We truly do have exceptional talent here on Teesside.

We’d like to say a massive thank you once again to our members, who showed extreme generosity and made it possible for us to offer these opportunities to students involved with the High Tide Foundation. P&O Ferries very kindly provided us with free board and meals on the return journey to Rotterdam, and Hunstman and Tata Steel graciously hosted site visits, including a tour and lunch totally free of charge.

As a charity this generosity is vital in allowing us to offer these wonderful opportunities to our students, whom all demonstrated a great interest in both the Port-to-Port voyage and the cadetship. As we were only able to choose three students from a school in each area across the region, each individual showed great ability and aspiration to be selected in the first place, which really demonstrates that there is a keen urge to learn and succeed amongst students on Teesside.

Without the programmes and schemes that we provide, alongside our industry members that fund the projects with money time and knowledge to even make them possible, some of these students would never get chances like these at all.

We also would like to thank all of the teachers involved who have volunteered their own time to help support their students. We really couldn’t have done it without you.

If this doesn’t convince you to get involved with High Tide, either as an Education Member or Industry Member, then nothing will. If you’d like to find out more information on our many opportunities, whether you’re a school or a business on Teesside, then please do browse our website. You can also contact us on info@hightidefoundation.co.uk and we will be more than happy to arrange a chat.

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