Our annual prize-giving ceremony got off to a brilliant start thanks to conductor Adrian Boardman for leading the LRGS Big Band.

Chair of Governors, Mr Howard Roberts, welcomed everyone to this special occasion before Headmaster Dr Pyle gave his report on the year.

John Gleasure was our guest speaker and presented the prizes. John is now co-owner of Dazn, a sports streaming channel. He attended LRGS  as a boarder from 1981-1988 and returned on Speech Day with three of his school friends. He said: “School friendships really matter, they last a lifetime and no matter what you achieve in your life, when you get together, you’re always that 15 year old person.”

John shared some of the learnings from his life and career. His advice included; ‘be brave, when you walk into a room, introduce yourself. Through meeting people, I built the company I have today. You never know who you’ll meet unless you introduce yourself.” John also talked passionately about how sport has played a huge role in his life and work and how the people he met became friends and influencers. John admitted that he didn’t have a career plan: “What has driven me is my passion. Always do what you’re passionate about.”

His final two pieces of advice were: to be authentic, form your own opinions and be confident to express it. Lastly, he shared his fear of opportunity… that when he sees an opportunity, others will beat him to it, so he has to try and stay ahead of everyone and to take advantage of the opportunities.

Tom Prince, Head of School, officially thanked John Gleasure for taking the time to visit us.

The event was concluded with the national anthem. Thank you to Karl Westermann for playing the organ.

Photo Gallery here.

 All speeches are included below.