EIGHT students from a Boston secondary school are set to travel halfway around the world for the learning experience of a lifetime.

Selected from the senior prefect teams at Haven High Technology College, the teenagers will be jetting off to Australia as part of a leadership development programme.

Coming from both the Marian and Tollfield Campuses at the college, the group will be joined on a 12 day tour of Sydney by students from Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Alford.

While "Down Under" the students will form partnerships with two local schools as well as giving presentations at Sydney University and to the Management of International Businesses.

Executive headteacher Adrian Reed told the Target: "This is a tremendous, once in a lifetime opportunity for our students to share their knowledge and understanding on a global stage."

While the trip will undoubtedly involve a lot of hard work, there will also be a recreational side.

This will see the students attend a performance of The Magic Flute at the world famous Sydney Opera House, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, have surfing lessons on Manly Beach and trek into the Blue Mountains.

The leadership development programme is one aspect of a Leadership Awards Scheme being developed through a partnership between Haven High and Queen Elizabeth Grammar.

It will be used throughout the college and the wider Boston Witham Schools Federation which includes Haven High along with Carlton Road and Staniland primary schools.

A Haven High spokesman said: "The scheme helps young people develop the necessary skills and opportunities to take a leading role in the school community, the local community and ultimately at a national or even International level.

"Through the scheme (bronze, silver, gold) students examine leadership and communication styles, understand the essence of effective teamwork, evaluate individual leadership skills and participate in community service projects."