Leaders of the future - itslearning

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Leaders of the future
By Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts
Jonathan Scheele, Head of European Commission Representation in the UK, with Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts and Lambeth Academy students
At Lambeth Academy, we empower young
people with an international outlook and
prepare them to compete and excel in a global
economy. We encourage them to develop skills
for success in an increasingly connected world.
They learn to believe they have the potential to
make an extraordinary impact on the world.
We celebrate internationalism and multiculturalism every
day. We are proud of our global ethos and seek a myriad of
opportunities to expose our students to innovative and inspiring
projects and events that will expand their horizons, aspirations
and perspectives.
Igniting the Olympic spirit
Since the start of the academic year in September, we have
had numerous global events. Following in the footsteps of
Swindon Academy, we launched Be the Best You Can Be. This
is a programme developed by 21st Century Legacy, a charity
established by Olympian David Hemery CBE, to inspire and
empower young people. Founded on the Olympian principles of
respect, friendship and excellence and supported by talks from
Olympians and Paralympians, the programme seeks to raise
young people’s aspirations and help them realise their potential.
It allows our students to develop valuable skills such as peer
coaching, goal-setting, teamwork and self-managed leadership.
Olympian Anna Hemmings MBE visited the academy on 13
September to celebrate the launch. The two-time Olympian and
six-time World Champion canoeist met our incoming Year 7
students. She delivered a dynamic and inspirational presentation
about her life and her childhood dreams of achieving success, and
the effect on our students was powerful.
They watched video clips with her competing in her sport and
listened with rapt attention to her talk about the importance of
friendship and respect amongst athletes from different countries.
Our students were truly amazed to see the footage of her wearing
the Beijing 2008 team outfit.
Lambeth Academy is now also officially registered with the 2012
Olympics. Our students are currently designing versions of the
Olympic mascots to represent the cultural diversity of our school
community. We will enter these for a competition to win tickets to
the Games in 2012.