Fairfax Academy students stunned as Olympic stars visit for Black History Month

Students at a Sutton Coldfield school came face-to-face with five elite athletes in an inspirational assembly for Black History Month – including the first ever black woman to represent Team GB at an Olympics.

And the pupils at Fairfax Academy, in Sutton Coldfield, were left gobsmacked when their own school caretaker took off his jacket to show a Great Britain track suit and a clutch of gold medals beneath – revealing he is a sports champion too!

Fairfax caretaker and international discus thrower Kevin Brown told the children: “You might be used to seeing me out there with the litter picker before school, but today I’m going to talk to you about Black History Month, and I’ve invited a few friends along to help me.”

Year 7 and Year 10 students at the school, in Fairfax Road, were treated to the special assemblies on Monday, October 16^th, as part of Black History Month celebrations, with each sports legend giving an inspirational speech.

Heptathlete Clova Court, who took part in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, was joined by Phylis Smith, who ran in both the 1992 and the 1996 Atlanta Games, and Canisus Alcindor, who competed for Great Britain in the high jump.

But the biggest star of the day was Anita Neil, who competed in the 1968 and 1972 Games, in Mexico and Munich, who told the children that hard work and determination pays off.

She said: “I was lucky to have great support from my mother. Whenever I went out to compete, she would tell me: ‘Remember Anita, you are better than them!’ and I always believed her.

“I became a pioneer – I was the first Black woman to represent Great Britain at an Olympic Games, and that’s one record I will always have.”

But there was a surprise for Anita, when she was told that after all these years, she still held one other record – which she had earned 55 years ago. She was stunned to be presented with an official certificate confirming that her 10.6 second 100-yard sprint on cinder track in Portsmouth in 1968 remained the fastest ever for a 16-year-old female.

Clova told the students that she believed Black History should be celebrated all year round, and that it should unite everyone, while Phylis advised them that setting goals and showing determination could make their dreams come true. Canisus told the audience to find the things they loved to do and then support each other to achieve their potential.

The stars also showed the students their track suits, running tops and medals from their days as elite athletes.

Two of Fairfax’s own sports stars, cricketers Faye Stanley and Libby Snowdon, were also introduced to the Olympian legends and were presented with their own record certificates, after competing in the recent Indoor World Cup in Dubai.

Helen Willaims, Fairfax’s Assistant Principal for Inclusion and Wellbeing, said: “Black History Month has the potential to deliver important messages about inspiration and unity, and we always try to arrange memorable events for the students.

“Today’s assemblies, with five elite level athletes sharing their own stories, were a huge success which I think really made an impression.”

Principal Sean Castle said: “I want to thank each of the speakers who gave up their time to come along to Fairfax and inspire our students for Black History Month. To have Clova, Phylis and Canisus was fantastic, but to hear from our own Mr Brown – who has more than 200 gold medals – about his achievements really was eye-opening for the students.

“And to have a trailblazer like Anita Neil in our school was quite simply a privilege. I’m very grateful for their help in creating an event which I’m sure our students will remember for a very long time.”