Swimmer praises our students

Making waves

Our students were given high praise from someone who knows exactly what it’s like to negotiate choppy waters...

ENDURANCE swimmer Anna Wardley knows a thing or two about resilience having swum around the Isle of Wight and through 20 miles of sharkinfested waters in California. So, it was a great honour for her to hail the maturity of GFM students as the keynote speaker at the MAT awards which were streamed on YouTube in October last year. During her talk she praised the schools and students for showing resilience and spoke of her own experiences and tough challenges. Anna raised thousands for charities close to her heart over the years, including the Samaritans in memory of her dad, Ralph Wardley, who died by suicide in 1985 when she was just nine. Speaking after the event, Anna said: “Huge credit to the group of schools in the GFM for hosting this event online to ensure the students are given the credit they

“ “Now, more than ever, it is important Gosport Futures to celebrate the so clearly deserve. “Now, more than ever, it is achievements important to celebrate the achievements of our of our young young people. “I talk a lot about resilience, as you can imagine it is pretty important in endurance swimming, people... ” ”

and the young people at these schools have shown these qualities in absolute spades. “It has been a tough time for lots of people for many different reasons but taking this chance to remind ourselves of what is special in our community is the perfect tonic. “I’m honoured to have been asked to take part.”

Pleasing plea response

WHEN the call went out to local business and the community to help with laptops and computer equipment for GFM students, the response was overwhelming. CEO Ian Potter spoke publicly about the need for laptops, tablets or old games consoles to allow youngsters to continue their classes at home during school closures. The plea was heeded across the town with offers of computing equipment and monetary contributions offered by business and individuals. Notable thanks to the organisations who supported our students. These include Acts of Kindness, The Tug Wilson Fund and also Sarah McBride and Ms Lardi. Businesses that have supported us include Radian Homes, Huhtamaki, Vodaphone and BP. Meanwhile, ITV Meridian interviewed staff about a shipment of new Chromebooks which had been sent by the Department for Education.