Today we had a visit from Pip O'Sullivan,  a young woman who grew up and was taught in Basingstoke. She is going on a remarkable journey around the world this summer and came into school to inspire our children to believe that anything is possible. She has managed to secure a place on the 'Around the World Clipper Race' where she will sail 40,000 miles over a gruelling period of 11 months.  An ordinary person doing something extraordinary.

I taught Pip 18 years ago when she was in Year 6 and back then she showed real determination, courage, wasn't afraid to be a little different, was aspirational and always tried her best. It is clear that she has continued to practice these values throughout her life as she is just about to embark on a journey that is really going to test her emotionally as well as physically. We will follow her adventurous story and plot her travels as she goes. Check out this link with your parents' permission as it is the short clip we shared today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spug15k_fjY

This visit really compliments our whole school learning this week as we are studying biographies and autobiographies as part of our reading and writing week. Thank you Pip for taking the time out to come and visit our school. We feel incredibly proud of you and can't wait to be a very small part of your huge adventure!