Junior Speech Night 2016

Former student Emily Lester was our guest speaker at Junior Speech Night.

Emily left BRGs sixth Form in 2008 progressing on to study Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge.  She joined the Cambridge University Air Squadron, where, in between lectures, netbal and rowing, she completed basic RAF flying training.

Emily graduated in 2012 with a Master of Engineering degree with Merit, and was selected for the British Airways Future Pilot Programme. As part of the Programme, Emily spent eight months in New Zealand, where she completed her commercial flying training.  Emily now works as a First Officer for British Airways, flying the Airbus A320 series aircraft on routes around the UK, Europe and the Middle East from London Heathrow.  In addition, she has continued her military involvement and is currently serving as an Intelligence Officer with the RAF Reserves.

The theme of Emily's speech was not to limit yourselves and to set the bar high: not to conform to a specific mould but to follow a path that inspires you, embracing opportunities and challenges.  Emily spoke of the strong sense of identity that BRGS and living in Rossendale gave her urging students to be proud of their time at BRGS, never forgetting their teenage years here.

Also speaking were David King, Chairman of Governors and Alan Porteous, Headmaster.  The Headmaster reflected on the year in which the School was judged 'outstanding' by Ofsted and received it's best ever GCSE and A level results with an ALPS score of 2 at A level placing BRGS in the top 10% of schools nationally on the value-added from GCSE to A level i.e. students across the full ability range had performed really well.  

Alan Porteous said that he wanted students to be outstanding: "in the sense of standing out from the crowd, being an exception to the norm - and that could be through your academic achievement; but just as importantly, it could be your creativity and imagination; your tolerance of people who are different to you; your character and attitude to other people; your compassion for and care for other people, particlarly those less fortunate than you; your communications skills, confidence and ability to speak coherently; your resilience and adaptability; your honest and integrity or your commitment and work ethic.  All of these things are sorely needed in the world!"  He finished his speech with a quote from Albert Einstein:  "Strive to make a difference - strive for significance. Become a man of value."