Teachers set to sail into the summer holidays with Virgin comp

Nobody deserves a kid-free break more than teachers so Sir Richard Branson is giving educators a chance to win a cruise aboard his Virgin Voyages.

Billionaire business magnate Sir Richard Branson is giving 200 Australian teachers a kid-free cruise this summer on his newly launched Virgin Voyages.

Coming into the school holidays, no one deserves a break from kids more than teachers and they’re being encouraged to nominate themselves for a chance to win a cruise worth up to $10,000.

The competition kicks off today and wraps up on December 15.

Branson, who has been famously open about his struggles with dyslexia at school said he had “enormous admiration” for the teaching profession.

“My favourite teacher was David Beavers. He just happened to be the Scoutmaster as well and that meant that I could get out of school and get out into the countryside,” he said.

“Back in those days they’d never heard of the word dyslexic and they weren’t that great with dealing with that. It’s tough being a teacher, you have 30 people in the class trying to bring out the individuality of everybody and trying to inspire them.”

The winning teachers would get a sea terrace cabin on the Resilient Lady, free meals, essential drinks, WI-FI, entertainment and fitness classes. The cruises depart out of Sydney and Melbourne and sails to Tasmania and New Zealand.

News Corp has also pushed to elevate the status of teachers with the Australia’s Best Teacher campaign prompting the federal government to announce a $10m campaign to support teachers. The 2024 Australia’s Best Teacher campaign is set to further advocate for teachers nationally.

Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group with schoolteacher Nicole Katrib on board a Virgin Voyages ship Resilient Lady. Photographer: Scott Elher

Nicole Katrib, Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing and PDHPE teacher at Marist College Penshurst, said with increased stress and responsibility in the classroom, this cruise would be just the antidote to teacher burnout.

“I love teaching, it’s an incredibly rewarding profession and we genuinely care about our students and setting them up for success in life, but sometimes teachers put their own wellbeing last. Generally, teacher dropout rates are on the rise and teacher shortages are a real problem,” she said.

“I think it’s absolutely amazing that Richard is acknowledging the hard work of teachers and this prize is so fitting because it’s exactly what they need. Teachers need their wellbeing to be looked after so they can return to the classroom re-energised.”

*To vote, click the link and tell us in 25 words or less why you deserve to win this cruise package.

Virgin Voyages Teacher Giveaway