Blog: Annie Moody’s Day at Montpelier High School
Our On Track to Achieve programme at Montpelier High School is helping young girls develop confidence, leadership skills and a strong sense of social responsibility. Head of Income Generation and Fundraising, Annie Moody visited the group to hear more about their experience.
For a second year running, funding from C&R Palmer has allowed us to put a world class athlete shoulder to shoulder with young people at Montpelier High School in Bristol – for this academic year, athlete mentor, Liz Johnson is back with the same enthusiasm and commitment to empower another set of young people on their journey.
Discussing why he funds the On Track to Achieve programme, Charles Palmer said: “I am very interested in Sporting, Health and Education organisations and charities. I strongly believe in the positive impact they can make to people’s lives and society as a whole. This is even more important to young adults and children. What I really like about Dame Kelly Holmes Trust is that it embraces all these key areas. The Trust supports, encourages and helps show young people what they are capable of achieving.”
Students present their Social Action Projects
During Annie’s visit, she watched two groups of students present their social action projects in a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style format. Each group conducted research, collaborated effectively, and created impressive PowerPoint presentations to showcase their ideas. Their confidence was remarkable, bearing in mind this is the first time some have ever presented to strangers.
The first group focused on helping younger students transition from primary to secondary school with greater confidence. They have designed an ‘Activity Day’ for a local primary school, incorporating sports, dance, and creative stations. Their aim is to ensure that every child finds something they excelled at, reinforcing self-belief even in areas where they might struggle. This idea was driven by the students’ own experiences of the challenges that come with moving to a new school; a fantastic example of young people using their personal journeys to support others.
The second group chose to raise awareness about homelessness in their local area. Their initiative involves engaging their school community to donate food items, while the group themselves would purchase essential supplies to create care packages for those in need. Connecting with a local homeless charity, they aim to provide direct support while also fostering awareness and empathy among their peers. Their project demonstrated a deep sense of social responsibility, practicality, and compassion.
Following their outstanding presentations, the students took part in some physical activities, including a fun session of pickleball. It was inspiring to see them working together, organising games, and displaying leadership and teamwork skills. Through activities like these, they not only increase their physical activity and abilities but also build friendships, communication skills, and self-assurance.
Liz Johnson making a difference in the lives of young girls
Dame Kelly Holmes Trust programmes provide young people with a Champion in their Corner: world-class athlete mentors who use their experiences from elite sport to help young people apply the knowledge to their own lives.
Paralympic Gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Games is the athlete mentor who is delivering the programme and the tangible improvement in the young girls is evident to see.
The group’s teacher at the school shared her observations on the impact of the programme over just five sessions. They mentioned students had grown significantly in confidence and one student, in particular, who usually struggles to be in school, has consistently attended on the days the programme is on; a testament to Liz’s ability to create a safe and supportive space for the girls to flourish.
Speaking about her involvement in the programme, Liz said: “These girls have been committed and enthusiastic. They bring great energy and it’s been fantastic to see all their characters develop. They aren’t all in the same friendship group but work well as a group during the sessions.”
Charles Palmer added: “Liz goes into schools and makes a real tangible difference. She encourages, cajoles, challenges and enables the children to believe in themselves. She encourages them to take control and lead, improve their confidence levels and the opportunities that are open to them. She hasn’t and doesn’t make excuses. The children learn so much from this attitude and approach. A very positive message and practical implementation, which resonates with me and why I am so pleased to support Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.”
Reflecting on her visit, Annie said: “Visiting was an uplifting experience, reinforcing the power of our programmes. Witnessing firsthand the confidence, creativity, and compassion displayed by these young girls was truly inspiring. Thanks to the dedication of Liz Johnson and the support of funders like Charles Palmer, this programme is shaping futures and not only empowering girls but also inspiring them to make a difference in their communities.”