"Remarkable and inspirational" speaker spreads positive message at Elizabeth College

Sunday 17 June 2018

Pupils at Elizabeth College have been hearing from an "inspirational" speaker who visited the school while on a trip to Guernsey.

James Shone spent 16 years of his life working in boarding schools, as a housemaster for 12 of those, and was then appointed headmaster at a UK prep school in 2012.

But upon taking his medical assessment, a brain tumour was discovered, and through the ensuing surgery, Mr Shone's life was saved, but his vision was lost.

Now, Mr Shone is an inspirational speaker and the founder of the I Can & I Am group.

He visited Elizabeth college on Thursday night to speak to parents and teachers, tell his story and spread his message, and then spent time with students in years seven to 10 on Friday morning. He first visited the school three years ago to give a principal's lecture.

Jon Shaw, Elizabeth College's Vice Principal, said:" James has a truly remarkable story and is certainly one of the most inspiring and challenging speakers I have ever heard".

I Can & I Am aims to inspire confidence in every individual and enable them to get to know who they are and what they are able to do, rather than focus on what they can't.

He said he attempts to embody a positive attitude to life, and a determination to turn setbacks into springboards.

As a housemaster, he said, this was at the heart of his pastoral message, but it is now fundamentally important that he lives this message out every day himself.

More information about Mr Shone, his message and I Can & I Am can be found here.