On Thursday 30th September, The Royal Harbour Academy, Ramsgate, received a visit from HRH The Princess Royal. Students and staff from the school gathered to welcome HRH, who arrived by helicopter, landing on the school field.
HRH was welcomed to the school by Headteacher, Simon Pullen, who then escorted HRH to the theatre, where HRH met with groups of students from a variety of year groups. HRH The Princess Royal wanted to meet with some of the young people at the school who overcame adversity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The students had the opportunity to talk about the challenges they overcame and their successes. These students have worked incredibly hard during such a difficult time, showing great resilience in overcoming emotional personal challenges.
HRH The Princess Royal then went on to meet with a selection of staff from Royal Harbour Academy and Charlton Athletic, who made a significant impact actively supporting the school community throughout the lockdown. The staff at the school went above and beyond to not only ensure students had access to work to support home learning, but also provided mental wellbeing support to both students and parents, monitored the safety of the students and families, organised and delivered hundreds of food parcels during the winter lockdown, and tried to make the students feel connected, important and special, through the lockdown.
Lastly, HRH met with staff from the Education Business Partnership Kent (EBPK), based within the school, to talk about the young people they supported daily throughout the lockdown. EBPK played a pivotal role during the pandemic, providing valuable advice to young people at a time of such extreme uncertainty.
At the end of the visit, HRH retired for a luncheon; a buffet provided by the school catering team, using home-grown produce from the school garden, before setting off for the next engagement.
Simon Pullen, Headteacher, said: “It has been a great honour to have The Princess Royal visit us, and all the students and staff at the Royal Harbour Academy wish to thank HRH for her time.”
Photo credit to Matt Ebbage Photography
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