West London’s St Augustine’s Priory school was honoured to welcome renowned broadcaster and author Clare Balding as the keynote speaker at its Careers Fair yesterday. The event was designed to inspire and guide students in their career aspirations. Clare delivered an uplifting and engaging speech to senior students, staff, and parents, sharing her life experiences and the importance of saying ‘Yes’ to opportunities, even when they feel daunting, as often these are the most rewarding.
Following her inspiring address, Clare Balding took time to engage with students, discuss their aspirations, and visit the school’s onsite farm, where she spoke with the Farm Manager about the importance of sustainability and outdoor learning. Her presence and insights had a lasting impact on the school community.
The Careers Fair brought together experienced professionals from a wide range of industries, including Architecture, Writing, Charity, Accountancy, Law, Software Engineering, Global Human Resources (GHR), Physiotherapy, Business, Technology, Video Engineering, Education, Medicine, Journalism, Dentistry, Finance, the Music Industry, and Sports Broadcasting. Among the exhibitors were alumnae, current parents and governors. Students were keen to harness the vast knowledge and expertise available and explore a diverse range of career paths and opportunities. The School expresses its gratitude to all those who generously contributed their time.
Headteacher Christine Macallister expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating:
“Having Clare Balding as our keynote speaker was an absolute privilege. Her words of wisdom and encouragement will undoubtedly stay with our students for years to come. At St Augustine’s Priory, we are committed to providing our young people with opportunities to connect with industry experts, such as professionals in architecture, law, medicine, finance, and the creative industries. Their guidance, along with Clare's inspiring message, have inspired our students and given them invaluable career insights"
This event, which forms part of the school’s broader commitment to career education, was run by the Head of Careers, Kate Toynton, ensuring that students are well-equipped for learning about the world of work, and the varied opportunities that lie ahead.
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