Visitors help to broaden pupils’ minds
STUDENTS at King’s have welcomed a plethora of visitors to the school.
Prolific children’s author Caryl Hart joined the King’s Infant and Junior Division, and pupils from the Girls’ Division welcomed life coach Tom Rushworth.
Caryl, a former Peak District National Park worker, has written 22 children’s books from her home near Bakewell.
She said: “I am here to whip these young minds into a frenzy about reading and writing and get them excited about open- ing the next book and turning the next page.
She added: “If you really want to write you have to realise it is a very competitive world and you must try to be at least as good, preferably better, than anything already out there.”
Tom, who is originally from Kettleshulme, where his mother still lives, is a former King’s pupil.
He left the school in 1981 to study mechanical engineering, spending 10 years as an engineer and the next 20 in corporate sales, before setting up his own business and personal development consultancy, based in his new home Norwich.
He talked to the girls about his transformation, and how important positive thinking is.
He said: “After more than 30 years in corporate life I have met a lot of people whom despite being outwardly successful, don’t necessarily feel happy or fulfilled.
“I want to help people of all ages and in all walks of life to discover that life does not need to be like that, in fact quite the opposite. Understanding what makes us truly happy is essential to creating a fulfilling and successful life.
“It all starts with our thinking and recognising that we actually choose the way we think, which drives the way we feel, which influences the way we behave, leading directly to our outcomes in life.
“We can all learn how to better control our own thinking to maximise our chances of getting what we want in life and not simply be a victim of cir- cumstances but someone who shapes their own future.”
Principal of the King’s Girls’ Division, Helen Broadley, said: “Tom was a schools’ speaker with a difference, someone used to breaking down the challenges faced by CEOs and sales forces and happy to tell teenagers about the delights of positive thinking and creative team play.
“I hope the staff were taking notes as well as the pupils.”