PUPILS and teachers at Copleston High School in Ipswich should be inspired today after a rousing talk by Suffolk swimmer, Karen Pickering.Speaking at Copleston High School's Year 11 presentation evening, Karen Pickering MBE - a four times Commonwealth Games Gold medallist - called on Year 11 pupils to believe in themselves.

PUPILS and teachers at Copleston High School in Ipswich should be inspired today after a rousing talk by Suffolk swimmer, Karen Pickering.

Speaking at Copleston High School's Year 11 presentation evening, Karen Pickering MBE - a four times Commonwealth Games Gold medallist - called on Year 11 pupils to believe in themselves.

She told them her own success had come from working hard, not just from being naturally talented.

And she recalled the time when she first tried to swim without armbands – and had had to be rescued from the bottom of the pool.

Speaking before the 300 people gathered in the school, the Great Britain international emphasised that anybody could achieve success – not just the naturally gifted. All that was needed was a positive outlook and hard work.

She said: "Surround yourself with positive people and be positive yourself so that people want to be around you."

The presentation evening was held to give last year's Year 11 students their GCSE certificates. Last academic year was Copleston's most successful GCSE year ever. Last June around 60 per cent of students gained 5 GCSEs at grade A to C.

Headteacher Laurie Robertson was only too pleased with the evening. He hoped that Ms Pickering would be an inspiration to the pupils, especially as Copleston High School itself is a sports college.

He said: "It was very successful. Everyone I have spoken to – the staff, the students, the parents – said what a good atmosphere it was and what a great evening it had been. I hope that it was really inspiring for the students."