1. “No Excuses” NO EXCUSES You can be the BEST version of yourself. NO EXCUSES. Respectful Polite Kind Caring Hardworking Honest Proud Look after yourself Come to school EVERY day Follow the Golden Rules Believe that you can do ANYTHING!

4. tmaoDeterminationtmaoDetermination

5. We often tell ourselves that if we don’t succeed, we should try and try again

6. Although sometimes it feels tempting to give up

7. Meet Sarah Storey. Sarah is one of our GREATEST British Paralympians.

8. Sarah has equalled Tanni Grey-Thomson’s incredible 11 Gold medal tally

9. But getting there hasn’t been an easy ride

10. Sarah began her career as a young swimmer. She trained hard, getting up early and training for hours on end

11. Her motivation and determination led her to win five Gold, eight Silver and three Bronze medals in the pool

12. Sarah struggled with a series of ear infections and eventually she had to give up her swimming career

13. Did Sarah give up her sporting dreams? (Would you stop coming to school if there was one thing you found difficult to do? Would you end your learning there and then and give up on your aspirations and dreams?)

14. NO! Sarah was determined to succeed and has become an incredible Paralympic cyclist.

15. At the Paralympic Games Sarah won Gold in four cycling disciplines It’s about finding what works for YOU. If you get stuck on a word in SFA. If you find the ‘bus stop’ method tricky in maths. You find a strategy that works for you. You find a way to stay DETERMINED to still become a WINNER in your LEARNING. Sarah didn’t give up. Children at Brook don’t give up.

16. This week I am going to stay focused and determined in my learning journey. If I fall down at the first hurdle, I’ll get straight back up and try again. It’s not about coming first in a race. It’s not about beating my friends in a test. It’s about becoming the best person I can be and knowing that my teachers, family and friends are all here to help me succeed. With determination, small steps soon add up to one big step.