WATCH: Vic student takes to the skies to raise bursary funds

Monday 01 April 2024

A sixth form student took to the skies this weekend for a 10,000 foot skydive to raise money for the foundation that made his schooling at Victoria College possible.

Isaac Tarrant, who has been a recipient of the school's bursary for 11 years, said the idea had come about in conversation with his dad.

"It stuck with me, coming from Les Landes and having this conversation with my parents about how lucky I am to be here," he said.

"It was really about passing that forward."

Pictured: Year 13 student Isaac Tarrant after his skydive. (Rob Currie)

Isaac explained that he would not have been able to attend the school without financial support from the Victoria College Foundation.

The music culture he found, first at Victoria College Prep and then at Victoria College, had a huge impact on him.

"At VCP, the music culture was incredible," he said.

"It's where I first learnt to play the piano – but even now at Vic, I'm allowed to use the grand piano in the Great Hall, which is amazing.

"I don't know what it's going to be like when I'm not at school and I'll not be able to use a grand piano!"

Isaac added: "I had my first singing lessons at VCP. Music is such a big part of my life now, and that only started from being able to get those opportunities in the first place."

Last year, Isaac was a finalist in the PwC Jersey Young Musician of the Year competition, having won the piano heat.

He also spoke about other opportunities the school had provided for him to "do good in the Jersey community", including being involved with the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, where he represented Victoria College and spoke at events.

In preparation for his skydive, Isaac spoke at corporate events, including with the foundation's partner, wealth management firm Quilter Cheviot, and with Jersey Business.

He successfully surpassed his £5,000 fundraising goal for the school's foundation.

Isaac admitted he hadn't eaten on Saturday morning to avoid throwing up after his jump but, despite his nerves, said the experience was "insane".

"This morning, I was incredibly nervous and I was trying to take some deep breaths and just focus on doing something for a cause bigger than me," he said on Saturday.

"When you're halfway up, you realise it's too late now, you can't really go back. You're 10,000 feet up looking over the whole of Jersey – it's insane.

"You jump out, it's 30 seconds freefall and it feels incredible."

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