BGS alumni, world-record holder and para swimmer Jonty Warneken returned to BGS as guest speaker at the annual Speech Day and Prizegiving service.
Mr Warneken, who attended BGS from 1975 to 1985, took pupils, parents and staff on a trip down memory lane as he recounted fun-filled stories of his carefree days as a pupil of Grosvenor House School, which became Belmont Grosvenor School in 2000.
The annual BGS Speech Day is held in a marquee on the Head’s Lawn at Belmont Grosvenor School. Headmaster Mr Nathan Sadler and Chair of Governors Mrs Charlie Brooksbank gave overviews of the academic year at BGS before Mr Warneken offered his advice to pupils.
‘Say yes, more often than you say no. If you say yes you will find something that fills you with passion and joy and will become your thing. Doing something new or different can be scary but I guarantee you will find things about yourself that you did not know. All you have to do is be brave,” he said.
A para ice and channel swimmer with three Guinness World Records for para ice and endurance swimming to his name, Mr Warneken helped hand out trophies and awards to pupils at BGS. As well as awards for academic and sporting achievements, Mr Warneken presented prizes for courtesy and consideration, charities cup and the Eco shield.
Guests also enjoyed performances by the BGS singers, percussion group, piano players and senior choir and rock band.
