From Student to Speaker: Giving back to the Next Generation

We were delighted to welcome back Grant Armstrong to speak with our Year 12 students on Presenting with Confidence as well as delivering a confidence boosting workshop in sport, with our Year 7 Sports Scholars. 

Grant attended Arnold School from 1998 to 2005 and spoke warmly about his time here, particularly the teachers who shaped him and had a positive influence on his journey, many of whom are still at AKS today. He highlighted Allan McKeown, Graeme McIntyre, Debbie Mayhew and Phil Hayden, noting how their support, encouragement and enthusiasm left a lasting impact on him. With this in mind, returning to AKS to give back through his work felt especially meaningful. 

Grant first drew on experiences after leaving school. Travelling all alone in another country. How he hated his first week away at the tender age of 18, being out of his comfort zone. He was ready to give up, but a simple piece of advice “to stick with it and ride out the challenges” changed everything. These words shifted the course of his life. By not quitting, he gained confidence, and within just two weeks he felt like a different person. Still 18, but now speaking to others with a renewed sense of self‑belief, he stopped thinking that everyone was older or knew more than him. The more he spoke to people, the more his confidence grew, and he believes that these early conversations are what truly built his confidence. 

Grant, along with his wife, now run their own business doing Co-curricular Speech and Drama workshops within schools. He believes that no matter what the age, skills for confident speaking can be taught and learnt. 

Returning to AKS Grant shared valuable insights with our Year 12’s on presenting with confidence – a vital skill as students prepare for university interviews, leadership roles, and life beyond school. He offered practical strategies for managing nerves and sounding confident even when you’re not! Students particularly enjoyed the interactive nature of the session, successfully allowing them to come out of their comfort zones and slowly join in. Grant gave our Year 12’s tools they can immediately apply in both academic and professional settings. 

In addition to working with our senior students Grant also led an energetic and engaging session with our Year 7 Sports Scholars. Through practical activities, such as poetry recital and monologues, our younger scholars were encouraged to recognise their strengths, embrace challenges and develop a positive performance mindset. 

We are incredibly grateful to Grant for giving back to the school community and inspiring the next generation. Alumni engagement plays a vital role in enriching our students’ experiences, and visits such as this demonstrate the lasting impact of our school community.