Newfie Crew 709

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• About Us

  Greetings from Avoca Collegiate in Badger, Newfoundland and Labrador — proudly sailing the high seas as the “Newfie Crew 709!”

  Nestled along the banks of the Exploits River in central Newfoundland, Badger is a small town with a vast history rooted in the province’s logging and railway industries. Established as a railway community in the early 1900s, Badger has long been a gateway to Newfoundland’s wilderness and outdoor traditions, with strong connections to the river, forests, and the people who call this region home.

  We here at Avoca Collegiate are a small school, with Kindergarten to Grade 9 students. With 37 students and 12 staff members, our school may be small in size, but we are big on school spirit, teamwork, and adventure. We have four classrooms, each made up of multiple grade levels, creating a unique learning environment where students of different ages learn and grow together.

  As we launch our miniboat journey, we are excited to share our corner of Newfoundland and Labrador with the world. We look forward to following our boat’s voyage, connecting with new communities, and demonstrating just how connected we all are through our oceans.

  Fair winds and following seas from the Newfie Crew 709!
  

• Getting Started - May 2026

  May 5th – The Adventure Begins!

  The excitement was in the air on May 5th when our miniboat package finally arrived! Fishery Officer Brittany Jay joined all of our students and staff for an unboxing event, and what an event it was! After seeing the package for a few days, the students were so excited to finally get into it.

  As we opened the box, it felt like discovering a treasure chest packed with everything needed to launch our miniboat adventure. Inside we found paint, epoxy, a sail, tools, a GPS, safety equipment, and, of course, the hull of our very own boat!

  The students were eager to explore every item and quickly put one piece to the test—the sail material. Could it really tough enough to withstand the winds on the Atlantic Ocean? Determined to find out, the students grabbed the sample, and some gave it their best effort, pulling and tugging, trying to see it faulter. The verdict? Not a single tear! The sail passed with flying colors and earned the official stamp of approval from the Newfie Crew 709.

  With all the supplies in hand and excitement running high, our miniboat journey was officially underway!
  

• Choosing Our Crew Name!

  Before our miniboat could begin its journey, there was one very important task that needed to be done first — giving our vessel a name!

  Each of our four classrooms put their creativity to work and submitted two name ideas, giving us a total of eight varying options to choose from. Would you believe we needed two rounds of voting?

  The first round of voting was so incredibly close, with two names racing neck-and-neck for the top spot. Without the ability of a photo finish, and the competition so tight, it was decided a second round of voting was needed to determine a clear winner.

  After the final votes were counted, “Newfie Crew” came out on top! To make it even more special, we added 709, creating the official name: Newfie Crew 709.

  The name couldn’t be a better fit. “Newfie” is a well-known nickname for people from Newfoundland, and for many years, 709 was the only telephone area code for the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Together, the name proudly celebrates where we come from and the community we’re representing on this incredible adventure.

  Fishery Officer Brittany Jay, and our Captain Freeman were the first to know the outcome, and a name unveiling was scheduled! A fun video was made and played for the students and staff so that everyone could find out the name and celebrate together,

  With a name chosen and a crew united behind it, Newfie Crew 709 was officially ready to set sail on its miniboat journey!
  

• Building a Boat, Building Skills, Building Students!

  Building the M/B Newfie Crew 709 has been about more than just assembling a boat—it’s been an opportunity for students to go hands-on as the learned! As construction got underway, students learned about some of the key parts that help a boat safely navigate the ocean, and not go belly up.

  One important lesson was understanding the difference between a boat that simply floats and a boat that sails well at sea. While a watertight hull keeps water out and helps the boat float, the keel plays an equally important role – Something the students learned about during the process.

  One of the first questions during the unboxing was “What did it do” when the keel was taken out, we talked about it then. Telling the students that the keel acts like an underwater wing, helping the boat maintain its course and providing stability to keep it upright in the waves. The student got to put that knowledge to use, ensuring their keel was done perfectly.

  Filling the keel was a big job that involved plenty of measuring, mixing, and pouring. It took teamwork, patience, and attention to detail to get the job done right, and don’t forget the proper PPE. Throughout the process, Captain Freeman kept everyone on task and made safety a top priority. With dust flying and materials being handled, students learned the importance of wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and following directions.

  When it came time to sand and prepare the hull, our students were more than ready for the challenge. We have some incredibly handy builders here at Avoca Collegiate! Students jumped right into the work, and some even brought power tools from home to help make the process run smoothly. Before long, Newfie Crew 709 was taking shape and looking more and more like a vessel ready for adventure.

  With each task checked off, we’re one step closer to launching our boat into the open ocean!
  

• Bringing Newfie Crew 709 to Life!

  With our boat named and our supplies ready to go, it was time for one of the most exciting parts of the project, designing and decorating Newfie Crew 709!

  When we first learned about the project, many themes were thrown around, Axolotl, School Mascot, A badger like our town name…. which surprisingly doesn’t have any Badgers at all. As good as the ideas were, none of them fit just right.

  As proud Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we wanted our miniboat to reflect where we come from, and the amazing place that we get to call home. Newfoundland and Labrador became Canada’s tenth province in 1949 and is made up of two distinct regions: the island of Newfoundland in the Atlantic Ocean and Labrador on the mainland of Canada.

  To celebrate our home province, we chose to decorate the hull with the Newfoundland and Labrador flag. The flag’s four colors each tell a story about our province. White represents the snow and ice that shape our landscape, blue symbolizes the surrounding sea, red reflects the hard work and determination of our people, and gold represents confidence and a bright future.

  The sail became a special project of its own, a collaborative effort. We divided it into four sections and gave each classroom the opportunity to create their own unique design. With students all brainstorming ways to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador’s landscapes, culture, wildlife, and traditions, making the sail a true representation of our school and our province.

  With creativity flowing, and paint flying, and ideas of incredible proportions, our vessel came to life.

  Stay tuned—Newfie Crew 709 is starting to look shipshape and ready for adventure!
  

  

• Charting Our Course

  Choosing a destination for Newfie Crew 709 was no easy task—the world is vast, filled with incredible places waiting to be discovered!

  From the very beginning, we knew this decision would be more than just picking a spot on the map. It became a real learning opportunity, where students explored how ocean currents, weather patterns, and drift tracks can all influence where a small vessel might travel once it leaves shore.

  After discussions, and a close look at ocean currents, our crew set their sights on a hopeful destination: Europe! With excitement building and curiosity leading the way, Newfie Crew 709 has officially charted its course across the Atlantic Ocean, ready to see where the winds and waves might take us next!

  To help guide our miniboat safely into the open ocean, Fishery Officer Brittany Jay will be coordinating its release on the Grand Banks, working closely with the Coast Guard and Offshore Unit to ensure everything is set for launch day (TBD).

  From there, our crew will continue learning about how ocean currents and weather systems as it carries our vessel across the Atlantic. Check out NOAA’s chart depicting the Northernmost currents that influenced our decision:

  

• A Journey Built on Collaboration

  From the very beginning, Newfie Crew 709 has been powered by teamwork and collaboration.

  A major part of this journey has been our partnership with our local Department of Fisheries and Oceans officers, whose support and guidance was foundation for our school’s participation in this incredible miniboat project. Their involvement has helped bring real-world learning and hands-on experience directly into our classroom four all of students.

  Another collaboration that has been brought on by this project is with Qalipu First Nation, whose contributions have added cultural learning to our build. During the course of our project, representatives joined us for a day in school to deliver presentations on ocean themed weaving and share cultural teachings with our students. Not only did we learn about the significance of weaving to the Qalipu culture, but we also had the opportunity to try it ourselves—an experience not soon to be forget!

  A big thank you goes out to Kaylee and Denika of Qalipu First Nation for joining us on this Mini Boat journey and sharing their knowledge, time, and stories with us.
  

• Raising the Mast!

  A boat simply can’t sail without a strong and secure mast—and for Newfie Crew 709, this was an important milestones in our build, It signaled the completion of the building aspect of our project. While we are slightly saddened to see it coming to an end, we are more excited for what is coming.

  A key member of our crew, Dwayne (our very own Chief Mate in spirit and one of the school’s most valued members), has been instrumental in helping bring this project to life. His support, alongside the dedication of others in our school community, has helped keep everything moving forward.

  When it came time to raise and secure the mast, Dwayne, along with Fishery Officer Jeff Butler, Fishery Officer Brittany Jay, and Captain Freeman, worked together to ensure the mast was firmly in place—ready for the students to attach the sail once it was completed.

  With the mast standing tall, the boat is starting to truly take shape, and the anticipation is building fast. With the community unveiling just around the corner, excitement is bubbling over as Newfie Crew 709 gets closer and closer to setting sail!
  

• Loading the Cargo Hold!

  Cargo, cargo, cargo… deciding what to send aboard Newfie Crew 709 turned into quite the adventure all on its own!

  We wanted our miniboat to truly represent Avoca Collegiate, Badger, and Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole, so the students got to work creating postcard-style messages and letters to send along for the journey. Let’s just say we took the idea of a “message in a bottle” a little literally… except instead of one message, we might have packed in 37 messages in a bottle!

  One of the most special parts of AVOCA is our small size and close-knit nature. Staff and students share strong connections, and one of those connections shines through with Dwayne, who has created a bit of a school tradition—hiding tiny micro ducks around the building for students to find. It has become a much-loved inside joke and moment of excitement, so of course, one of Dwayne’s famous ducks had to make its way into the cargo hold too!

  To celebrate Newfoundland culture, we also included trinkets and mementos that reflect history, traditions, and identity, as we have a portion of Aboriginal Students it’s important to share that side of Newfoundland as well. We were grateful to include materials and swag provided by Qalipu First Nation, helping ensure our cargo reflects a full story of the land we call home.

  With the hold now packed full, Newfie Crew 709 is truly carrying a piece of everyone with it across the ocean!

• Miniboat Sail-a-bration

  After a few sleepless nights, it finally arrived. The big day. The day we had all been waiting for. Excitement lingered as seats filled one by one, buzzing with anticipation. Parents, grandparents, family, friends, and community members gathered together, eager to witness the result of months of hard work. Even the local news was there to capture the moment.

  All at once, a hush settled over the crowd. For a moment, all was still. Until the unmistakable sound of “Heave Away” broke the silence. “Come get your duds in order, ‘Cause we’re bound to cross the water, Heave away, me jollies, Heave away”

  As the lyrics echoed through the gymnasium and the all too familiar rhythm filled the room, she made her grand entrance. The Newfie Crew 709 emerged through a glistening curtain before the crowd. Escorted by the words Bon Voyage, trailed by Her captain and Crew Mate, guided by her builders. After weeks of careful planning, whispered conversations, hidden details, the secret was finally revealed.

  Cheers erupted from every corner of the gym. Heads turned, cameras flashed, Videos were taken, as people all stretched for a glimpse as she made her way through the sea of smiling faces. Riding a wave no of water, but of excitement, support and admiration for the job well done. In that moment, every hour of effort, every challenge overcome, and every personal touch could be seen. She was more than a boat; she was the story of a School, a community, a partnership, a shared journey.

  Completing her voyage around the gymnasium, she was carefully placed upon her pedestal, where all could admire what had been accomplished. Then came the stories. The reflections. The words of gratitude and pride. And finally, the christening. As the ceremonial blessing was bestowed upon her future travels, confetti cannons thundered overhead, filling the air with color and celebration. And in that moment, surrounded by cheers and applause, we knew. The Newfie Crew 709 was ready. Ready for the next chapter. Ready for the open ocean. Ready for the adventure ahead.

  As with any celebration, we gathered around the table and shared a feast. Conversations filled the room, with stories retold and imaginations wandering toward what lay ahead. The ocean is an unforgiving place—a place where nothing is guaranteed. Storms roll, and waves crash, winds change, and currents shift. Every voyage that sets sail carries its own uncertainties. But as we close this chapter of our story, there is one thing we know for certain. A lot of smiling faces left that gymnasium that day. And a lot of little hearts left full, knowing they had been part of something much bigger than themselves. A boat was unveiled. A voyage was set in motion. And a small school from a small community came together to launch a dream.

  
  Stay tuned for more updates on launch this coming Fall!

• Featured in Educational Passages' Podcast: "Imagine This" Series

  On June 30, Newfie Crew 709 journey was featured in its very own podcast episode, “A Story of Our Own: From Finder to Builder.”
  
  Now press play, close your eyes, and imagine this.