On Wednesday 24 June, the final day of the Summer Term, we
will bid farewell to another cohort of senior students as they prepare to leave
the College and move on to pastures new. To celebrate this occasion and recognise
the successes and achievements of all pupils across this academic year, we
extend a warm invitation to all governors, parents, pupils and staff to attend
our annual Prize Giving ceremony.
Each year, to address all in attendance at the prestigious event,
a guest speaker with a motivational, individual and aspirational story is
chosen. The Guest of Honour is tasked with inspiring pupils as they move on to
the next chapter in their lives; be it another academic year or an entirely new
adventure. Described as ‘inspiring’ and ‘accessible’, whose words ‘crystallised the resolve felt and strengthened by all in attendance’
by the Chairman of Session at a recent UN Conference, we are delighted to announce
that this year’s speaker is Amar Latif, a blind world traveller, entrepreneur, television
personality, actor and director.
Born with an incurable degenerative condition, retinitis
pigmentosa, Amar lost 95% of his sight by the age of just 20. Losing one’s
sight is a terrifying prospect, but it is through sheer determination and the
refusal to be beaten by debilitating circumstances that Amar has built a
multi-faceted career, winning him international critical acclaim. Having been awarded the accolade of 'Outstanding Young Person
of the World' in the Business and Entrepreneurial category at the World Congress,
Amar is passionate about inspiring the youth of today to chase dreams,
regardless of hurdles that might seem insurmountable. Alongside his burgeoning
career as a director, Amar has worked with Channel 4, BBC2 and the Discovery
Channel, laying common perceptions about visual disability aside as he
attempted intensely challenging endurance expeditions. A gruelling trek across Central
America, through jungles, swollen rivers, across waterfalls and over active
volcanoes has put Amar at the forefront of world trail-blazers, challenging the
notion that visual impairments can hinder lifetime ambitions.
Amar’s flair for the innovative and ambitious has not only
seen him in front of and behind the camera, but starting his own company, Traveleyes.
The world’s first commercial air tour operator to specialise in serving blind
(as well as sighted) travellers, Traveleyes has now developed a worldwide customer base. Amar has given inspirational speeches worldwide for numerous
major organisations, including The United Nations, The Arabian Travel Market,
The Royal College of Art and Goldman Sachs - to name a few! A director at BT
labelled Amar as ‘the most inspiring and touching presenter he had ever
experienced in his professional career, spanning 25 years.
Bringing a rousing and encouraging message to the Shiplake
College community is next on Amar’s list, and we are eagerly anticipating the
opportunity to welcome him.
The timetable for the 2015 Prize Giving ceremony is as
follows:
- 11.00am: Arrival on Front Field. Guests are
invited to take their seats in the Prize Giving marquee
- 11.15am: Prize Giving ceremony commences
- 12.30pm: Prize Giving Ceremony concludes
- 12.35pm: Canape lunch and drinks reception on
the Front Field
- 1.30pm: Event ends
Parents and other guests are not required to RSVP for this event. We once
again look forward to seeing the marquee full to capacity to celebrate another
superb year at Shiplake College.