Westholme School pupils past and present gathered for a special evening of conversation and inspiration for future careers at Ewood Park.
Twenty-nine Westholme alumni attended the Beyond Westholme event which gave the INSPIRED Sixth Form students the opportunity to network, ask questions and explore the rich variety of career paths that each of the alumni now work in, following their days at Westholme.
From Aerospace Engineering to Cyber Security, Doctors, Pharmacists, Accountants and Vets, the array of professionals in the room was inspiring to the current pupils as they embark on making the decision for their next steps in education, towards their dream careers.
Professional explorer, 24-year-old Louis Alexander, was invited to deliver a guest speaker address on the night and shared fascinating insights and anecdotes from his career as an explorer, adventurer and storyteller.
From running through deserts, swimming across shipping lanes, to summiting some of the world’s most notable mountains, Louis has conquered numerous endurance feats at a young age.
Louis said: “It was a real pleasure to speak to Westholme pupils and share some stories from my adventures. I focused on the importance of teamwork, and the support crews who have played an incredibly important role in the safety and success of my expeditions - from climbing mountains to running through the Amazon Rainforest.
“I’m so happy I chose that topic because speaking to many of the Westholme family, from students to staff, it was clear that community and having a strong, supportive network is one of the foundations of the school.
“Thank you so much for having me - and I wish all of the students the very best in chasing their own adventures as they enter their next chapters.”
Beyond Westholme, the fourth event of its kind, was one of many centenary celebrations throughout 2023 to commemorate 100 years of Westholme.
Jonathan Oracz, Head of Sixth Form said “Successful, enterprising former students who were once in exactly the same place as our current pupils are a key source of information and inspiration, and the formal yet relaxed backdrop of dinner at Ewood Park frames the event perfectly.
“This event is uniquely Westholme – sharing experiences and advice. We always say we are a family and Beyond Westholme fully represents that and highlights exactly why we won Independent School of the Year for our Careers programme.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came back to make the night such an enriching experience for our students.”