ENGLAND Rugby World Cup winner Phil Vickery discussed the importance of teamwork and positivity with staff from Coventry’s Romero Catholic Academy.
Vickery met with more than 500 employees at Cardinal Wiseman School as part of a an annual staff day which featured inspiring talks about his upbringing, achievements in the game and the people who helped get him to the top.
The rugby star also held a question and answer session afterwards.
He said: “I often get asked if we could have won the World Cup without Jonny Wilkinson and I always say ‘I don’t know’ but I do know that he couldn’t have won it without us, and that is the message that I wanted to impart today – having a great headteacher alone doesn’t make a great school, it takes everyone.
“Everyone is here because of the importance of what they do and when I think about the impact that everyone from teachers to cleaners and dinner ladies had on my journey it reminds me that you can have an effect on people by simply having a positive personal interaction and taking an interest in how they are doing.
“It’s clear to see that everyone at the Academy is on the same page and in search of a shared goal, which is crucial when you want to achieve big things in any occupation, and I hope they came away from the event with a reminder of the part they play in the lives of thousands of young girls and boys.”
The talk was held within Cardinal Wiseman’s new 288-seat auditorium, which includes automatic theatre-style seating, professional lighting and a hi-tech sound system, complemented by a new patio area directly outside which features a large electric canopy and table tennis tables.
Patrick Taggart, Director of Operations at the Romero Catholic Academy, said: “We were delighted to see so many people from across the Romero family in one place to share in a day of ideas and inspiration.
“Phil was a fantastic guest and said some very apt things about everyone here playing a role to achieve something greater and how our how staff at each of our schools can come together to impact thousands of young people.”
He thanked catering partners Creed Foodservice for sponsoring the event,
Guests also heard from author, catechist and motivational speaker David Wells who was on hand to address staff on the subject of faith in schools.
He said: “It was lovely to see so many members of staff coming together and having an opportunity to speak with some of them and hear about the good work that has been going on at the Romero Catholic Academy.
“I thought Phil made an excellent speaker and summed up the day’s theme perfectly.”
Other sessions included ‘The Importance of Reading’ and one with Freelance writer, speaker and trainer David Didau who addressed the Key Stage 2, 3, 4, 5 teachers looking at the progression model in English. Hilary Minns also led a workshop on rhymes to inspire and stories to grow on for teachers and support staff in Early Years and Key Stage 1.
For more information about the Academy, visit https://romeromac.com/
