Dame Katherine Grainger DBE
Dame Katherine Grainger DBE gave an inspirational talk at Eastbourne College today which our pupils in Years 6 to 8 were lucky enough to watch via the wonders of Facebook Live!
Dame Katherine is Britain’s most decorated female Olympic athlete and the first British woman to win medals at five successive Olympic games. She is also the chair of UK Sport and holds a PhD in Law.
The children were captivated from the outset as Dame Katherine spoke about her sister having to deal with unkindness when they were growing up which was her inspiration to make a positive change on the world. She studied Law at Edinburgh University where she had to be persuaded three times to try rowing! Initially, she simply wanted to make the university team of 16 from a squad of 52 women. But she wasn’t selected; so it was through commitment, determination and passion that she worked her way up the boats and then on to regattas around the country to finally make selection for the national team and continue her path to Olympic stardom.
The Olympian said that, from time to time, everyone has doubts, fears, insecurities and worries in their life, but she explained that you learn from them and she cited being beaten to silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (when the GB team had been the hot favourite) as one of those moments! Dame Katherine concluded her talk by urging the pupils to be open to ideas and every challenge offered them and to simply try their best in everything that they do.
After the talk, Dame Katherine unveiled a plaque outside the Winn building to officially open Eastbourne College’s spectacular Project 150.
