By Jay Forte, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – As the Paralympics continue to capture the heart and spirit of the Rio 2016 Olympics, in just under a week, on September 18th, the Games will come to an end. However the memories and reflection will live on, and one such moment for The British School’s campus in Barra da Tijuca was receiving a visit from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.
HRH Princess Anne and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, were at the Barra Unit of The British School, Rio de Janeiro, on August 10, 2016. Princess Anne is President of the British Olympic Association and was in Rio to support Team GB by attending various Olympic events and receptions.
The Princess was also fully aware of the important role played by the Barra Unit of The British School in hosting Team GB throughout the Games to allow the British athletes to train with their coaches and to meet friends and family members in a specially prepared lounge.
During the visit, Princess Anne was introduced to the school’s student volunteers and she talked to them individually about their school life and studies, as well as their role as volunteers for Team GB.
Head of the school since January 2012, John Nixon, said, “As always, our students were great ambassadors for our school and the Princess was very impressed with their attitude and enthusiasm.”
The Princess Royal and the Vice Admiral were taken on a tour of the Barra site to see all the facilities, including the school unit’s new building, and they were able to talk to the athletes about their training and preparation for their various events and competitions.
The tour culminated in the school’s new multi-purpose hall where boxing, fencing and judo practices were taking place. The Princess was also invited to unveil a special plaque commemorating her visit and the school’s partnership with Team GB.
Finally, the Princess was presented with a special painting by the Class 7 Barra student, Caroline Wiedermann, depicting an Olympic horse rider – a very appropriate present for the Princess as she, herself, competed in the equestrian events at the Montreal Olympics.
The British School, Rio de Janeiro, was started in 1924, with a curriculum focuses on a British-style education leading up to the IB diploma. There are approximately 2,000 students across three separate campuses in Botafogo, Urca and Barra da Tijuca.
* This is a Sponsored article by The British School, Rio de Janeiro.