Sizzling Speech Day
Olympic gold and bronze medallist Crista Cullen MBE joined our Years 5 to 8 pupils, their families and friends on a scorching hot Speech Day today as the school came together to reflect on the children’s endeavours, aspirations and achievements and the fun of the 2017-2018 academic year.
Headmaster, Gareth Jones started the proceedings with an entertaining speech which highlighted the school’s very many achievements as seen through the eyes of ‘the grey elephant from Denmark’ and ‘an escaped panther’. He also gave thanks to the school’s Board of Governors and the staff for their commitment, support and hard work.
Following wonderful deliveries from the head boys and head girls on different aspects of the school, Chair of the Eastbourne College Charity Board of Governors, Philip Broadley addressed the packed Durlacher Gym. He reflected on his many visits to the school throughout the year, praising the teaching and support staff and highlighting that there can be no more tangible sign that there is nothing Mr Jones will not do for St Andrew’s Prep as he completed his 64 day swim challenge yesterday. He finished his speech with the following words of advice for the school leavers, “Work hard, be kind and amazing things will happen.”
After the prize giving ceremony, Miss Cullen spoke about her struggles when she arrived in England from Kenya at the age of 13 and how she overcame them by developing a good attitude and a willingness to learn. She stressed that in life and on the games field, focus should not be on one member of a team but on the whole team effort and that is what creates success. Wrapping up, Miss Cullen stressed that accepting failure is part and parcel of winning and she urged the children to grab and relish opportunities that come their way, to try new things and to be ambitious because “there is no ceiling”.
After a delicious buffet for all on the school fields, speech day drew to a close.
Three cheers for St Andrew’s Prep.
