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St Michael’s was delighted to welcome back former pupil and double Winter Olympic Champion Lizzy Yarnold OBE as guest speaker of its end-of-year Prize Giving ceremony last week.

Returning to the school where her educational journey began, Lizzy joined pupils, parents and staff for an evening of celebration, recognising achievements from across the academic year. The event featured the school’s annual awards presentation alongside a showcase of pupils’ work in Art and Design Technology.

One of Britain’s most successful Winter Olympians, Lizzy shared reflections on her remarkable career and offered words of encouragement to pupils as they look towards future opportunities and challenges. Drawing on her experiences at the highest level of international sport, she spoke about the importance of perseverance, resilience and maintaining a positive mindset.

Speaking to St Michael's Year 8 pupil, Finlay, in an interview before the ceremony, Lizzy said: “You are your biggest cheerleader: your drive and belief are more important than whatever anybody else says.”

St Michael’s Head, Nik Pears, said: “It was wonderful to welcome back Lizzy for our Prep Prize Giving. Her presentation was full of inspiring messages of perseverance, growth mindset and embracing new challenges, as well as the importance of cherishing and maintaining connection to the communities which are instrumental in your path to success.

“As a member of St Michael’s alumni, Lizzy’s visit added a wonderful sense of connection to the school’s history and the evening felt both uplifting and full of pride for all that our pupils, and Old Michaelians, have accomplished."

Lizzy was awarded an MBE in 2014 following her gold medal success at the Sochi Winter Olympics and later received an OBE in 2018 after becoming the first British athlete to successfully defend a Winter Olympic title, winning a second gold medal at the PyeongChang Games.

Since retiring from competitive sport, Lizzy has become a highly regarded motivational speaker, sharing lessons from her sporting career with audiences across the UK and beyond. Her return to St Michael’s provided a unique opportunity for pupils to hear first-hand from one of the school’s most distinguished former pupils.

The evening concluded with celebrations of pupils’ achievements across academics, sport, the arts and wider school life, providing a fitting end to a successful academic year for the St Michael’s community.