Something amazing has happened!  I’ve become an Honorary Alumna of Shrewsbury High School!  Here’s what happened!

Last year, my family and I relocated to Shrewsbury, and it was during that time that I started following Shrewsbury High School’s social media accounts.  Following high schools isn’t something I typically do, but Shrewsbury High’s posts began appearing on my news feeds, possibly due to the #shrewsbury hashtags I was using.

I became deeply impressed by the values Shrewsbury High School taught their students. These values resonated with me on a personal level, as they played a crucial role in transforming my life from where it was to where I am today.  I found it truly remarkable that Shrewsbury High School nurtures their students with these values as the norm, rather than them learning through hard life lessons like I did.

When Shrewsbury High SchooI reached out, asking if I would be their guest speaker at their Prize Giving and Leavers Event on Friday 30^th June, I leapt at the opportunity, even though I’m not doing public speaking events at present.  It was such a wonderful and inspiring event, with speeches from both the graduating and newly appointed head girls, head teacher Ms Sharrock and Chair of Governors, Dr Sara Short.  We were treated to the graduating students belting out an Elton John song and I gave a speech about my own life journey and the invaluable lessons and values that got me to where I am today.

When I had the honour of presenting prizes and awards to the senior students, a sense of surrealism washed over me.  Memories from my own high school days flooded back, reminding me of the nervousness I felt as I stepped onto the stage to receive awards for my exceptional achievements.

While witnessing the graduating students on the verge of embarking on their own life journeys, I experienced overwhelming happiness, knowing that my daughter would one day walk the path of high school graduation.  Yet, a faint sadness tinged my joy with the awareness that I had never experienced that milestone myself.

When circumstances forced me to run away from foster care to protect myself, I became homeless, and going to school became an immense challenge.  School was so important to me.  It was everything.  I fought with every ounce of my being to cling to the one thing that mattered, but the cruel realities of homelessness and the absence of a family protecting me, meant I was unable to complete my exams or finish school.

However, as the head teacher, Miss Sharrock, delivered her incredibly inspiring speech, I was astounded to hear that I was being recognized as an honorary alumna of Shrewsbury High School.

This news filled my heart with an indescribable sense of goodness.  It validated my connection to the values upheld by this extraordinary institution and acknowledged the shared principles we embrace.  Shrewsbury High School will forever hold a special place in my heart and I wonder if they will ever truly know the profound positive impact their gesture has had on me.

Headteacher Ms Sharrock, Guest Speaker Ishbel Holmes, Chair of Governers Dr Sara Short

The Kibo Bicycle I rode the world on! Loaded with my Ortlieb Waterproof Pannier Bags, My Yellow Egg Carrier & Smiley Face!

Delivering my Speech at Shrewsbury High Schools’ Prize Giving & Leavers Event 30th June 2023.