Christ College – INSPIRATION AND EMOTION AT THE 2013/2014 PRIZE DAY

25 Sep 2014

The 2013/14 PRIZE DAY WAS AN INSPIRATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL DAY!
Formalities began in Brecon Cathedral at 10.30 am where there was a Thanksgiving Service for God’s Blessing and for the Founders and Benefactors of Christ College. The preacher was the retiring Chairman of Governors, The Revd Professor D P Davies MA BD.
After the Cathedral service until lunchtime visitors enjoyed the Art Display and Railway Modelling Display. There was also a special exhibition in Big School marking 150 years of School House – School House 1864-2014 where visitors discovered more about the history of Christ College and enjoyed the treasures on show.
At 12 noon, following the service and packing up and “signing out” of pupils by parents with their belongings, there was a concert in the Neuadd.
From 12.30 pm the Society of Friends served “Bubbly & Fruit Cocktails” in Henry’s and the Tunnel area. As well as House Receptions and Lunch in the Dining Hall, families took advantage of the glorious weather by having picnics on the school’s playing fields.
At 2.00 pm the main Prize Giving ceremony took place in the Sports Hall. We were delighted to welcome our Guest of Honour, Old Breconian Miss Tori James.
Tori, at the age of 25, became the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest. Tori featured in the BBC documentary ‘On Top of the World’ which was produced about her expedition and she is also the author of ‘Peak Performance’ which describes her record-breaking climb to the summit.
She was born in Pembrokeshire and grew up on a farm where she claims to have gathered much of her toughness for venturing outside in all weather. After completing her A levels at Christ College, where she was Head of Donaldson’s House, she read Geography at Royal Holloway University of London. After graduatiing, Tori secured her dream first job working for British Exploring, a charity founded by a member of Scott’s Antarctic expedition and based at the Royal Geographical Society in London.
In 2005 she was a member of the Pink Lady PoleCats, the first all-female team to complete The Polar Challenge, a grueling 360 mile race to the Magnetic North Pole. In 2010 Tori cycled the length of New Zealand, a total of 2400km, unsupported from north to south.
Tori was recently part of a team of four who were the first to travel in a straight line from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The challenge, entitled ‘Beeline Britain’ involved sea kayaking, cycling and walking and raised funds for BLESMA (the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association).
Tori currently lives in Cardiff working across Wales and internationally. She is a motivational speaker and consultant delivering leadership training, team and youth development projects. She has led teams in both corporate and charitable organisations in sectors including aviation, entrepreneurship and sport. She is passionate about encouraging others to challenge themselves and take their business activities to the next level.
Term then ended after the Prize Giving for all pupils except the Upper Sixth pupils but many families stayed on to enjoy tea and cakes in the Neuadd.
At 4.00 pm the Leavers’ Service took place in the Chapel.
To round off a busy day, the 2014 Summer Ball for L6 and U6 pupils and their parents took place in the Christ College grounds.

Photo: Tori James