Lizzy Yarnold inspires Derby students

Winter Olympic Gold medal winner Lizzy Yarnold MBE, urged students to follow their dreams at Derby High School's speech day

Posted by Stephanie Broad | September 10, 2016 | Sports & Leisure

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• #lizzy-yarnold-mbe
• #inspiration
• #derby-high-school
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Lizzy won the Olympic Skeleton event at the Sochi Winter Olympics and was also World and European Champion, making her the second athlete to hold the Grand Slam titles at the same time.

The 27-year-old was guest speaker at Derby High School’s speech day, held at the Riverside Centre, at Pride Park, to celebrate the achievements of Senior School students over the past academic year.

Lizzy spoke about her journey to becoming an Olympic champion before offering students some advice: “I have learnt that it doesn’t matter what you want to be. If you have a secret dream then tell someone; if you work hard it will be so much sweeter when you achieve that dream.

“Also, you can’t be someone else; I always just wanted to be the best version of myself that I could and I’ve learnt that you have to fail sometimes to be successful.  You have to do some things wrong so that you can learn how to do them better. Have fun and follow your own dreams.

“Congratulations to all of you and I hope you have a fantastic year.”

During the event prizes were awarded for academic, musical, sporting and artistic success in front of a packed audience of parents and family members.

Addresses were delivered by former Head Girl, Sophie Woodcock, and new Head Girl, Ashmal Qamar along with Dr Richard Faleiro, Chairman of Governors and Head teacher Denise Gould.

Mrs Gould congratulated the girls on their exam results over the summer: “There were many individual successes at A-level and GCSE. I’m pleased to say that the Upper Sixth left us in style, as confident young women who have contributed hugely to the life of the school.

“The GCSE results were outstanding and very well deserved. It shows that careful preparation leads to success.”

W: www.derbyhigh.derby.sch.uk