Olympic legend praises school for inspiring pupils

Former Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes has praised a special education school on Guernsey for its efforts to inspire pupils.

The retired athlete-turned-motivational speaker visited Le Rondin School, which caters for a wide range of educational and learning difficulties, as part of its 20th anniversary year.

The visit was set up by island charity Only Fools and Donkeys - a long-time supporter of Le Rondin which has raised more than £200,000 in support of those with additional needs.

Dame Kelly likened the commitment of staff at the school to her old PE teacher, who gave her "a dream to pursue and helped make me who I am".

While at Le Rondin last week, the 55-year-old attended a school assembly and was given a tour of the premises, where she met many pupils.

She said: "It was wonderful to have them all together and to see what a very special place this school is for everybody.

"You can't underestimate the engagement and energy that's here - the teachers are doing a fantastic job and don't get enough credit."

She added: "School for me was just a place where I could meet my mates - I wasn't academic at all.

"But everyone learns differently and has different needs. What's important is to be given opportunity and support.

"I as lucky that I had an amazing PE teacher who really looked after me and pushed me into sport."

She credited that encouragement with resulting in her eventually making history by becoming the first female British athlete ever to attain a double gold victory at the Olympic Games, a feat she achieved in Athens in 2004.

While there, Dame Kelly also took the opportunity to take part in one of the island's weekly parkruns, as well praising the "passion" of its residents.

Namechecking the likes of local Olympians Cameron Chalmers, Carl Hester and Heather Watson, she laughed at the suggestion that, for a population of just 64,000, Guernsey was punching above its weight when it came to athletic talent.

She said: "This does seem like a very sporty place. And guiding young people in that direction is so good for their mental and physical health.

"There are so many life lessons to be learned through sport."

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