We were proud and very excited to welcome Olympic gold medallist Tabitha Stoecker to the academy last week, fresh from her success at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This was the first full school visit she has completed in the UK since winning gold, which made the occasion even more special for our pupils and staff.
Tabby is a British skeleton racer who became Olympic champion in the new mixed team event alongside Matt Weston. She joined British Skeleton in 2019 at the age of eighteen, and the 2026 Games were her first Olympic competition. Her story shows what dedication, courage, and hard work can achieve.
Wearing her gold medal proudly, Tabby spoke in our Friday assembly about her journey into the sport and the determination needed to reach the very top. We all listened carefully and demonstrated our academy healthy habits beautifully by asking thoughtful and curious questions throughout the presentation.
One of the children asked if skeleton racing feels frightening. Tabby explained that travelling at almost eighty miles per hour can feel like being on a very fast rollercoaster, but training and focus help her stay calm.
Tabby encouraged everyone to take part in sport, try new activities, and believe in their own goals. She reminded us that success begins with small steps, regular practice, and the confidence to keep trying even when something feels difficult.
Her nephew and niece, Tatum and Navy, who are pupils at Thoresby Vale Primary Academy, proudly watched their aunt compete at the Olympics in Italy. They both presented Tabby with a special book filled with Olympic themed drawings created by all of the children across the academy. She was delighted by the thoughtful gift and thanked everyone for their creativity and kindness.
To make the visit even more memorable, Tabby visited every classroom so that everyone could see the gold medal up close. The smiles on their faces showed just how inspiring it was to meet a real Olympic champion.
Welcoming Tabby to our academy gave all of us a moment we will remember for years to come.