Masterclasses are back for 2025, and we started with a special one to kick off 2025! It was with great pleasure to welcome ex-international cricketer and PE teacher, Mr Andrew Patterson, to the College on Thursday 16 January to deliver a powerful talk to our pupils.
Mr Patterson is a former Irish and Sussex cricketer which for the former included 61 matches and two ICC Trophy tournaments. However, in 2013, he was diagnosed with spastic paraplegia, a progressive condition that would eventually leave Mr Patterson set to spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.
But in 2023, he underwent a world-leading operation in the USA to improve his mobility and his quality of life. The surgery was not without its costs and Mr Patterson spoke highly of his daughter who raised just over £20,000 by running two half-marathons. He also talked about his rehab journey post-surgery and how his body and his brain is having to learn new pathways in order to walk again. A year later in 2024 he completed a 5K last summer. Using a three-wheel walker, Mr Patterson completed the 5K in 8 hours and 43 minutes which he said was one of the greatest achievements of his life. Even more monumental given the nature of his prognosis before the surgery.
Mr Patterson's Masterclass was one that focussed on resilience, purpose, and perspective. Life will through its challenges in all shapes and forms and while he may not have been able to deliver Saturday sport at his school, he was able to more often watch the Harlequins play rugby! A positive mindset with a positive outlook on life goes a long way and will help when life gets tough. Mr Patterson challenged our pupils not to take the easy option and that there was no reason dreams couldn’t be achieved.
At the end of his Masterclass, Mr Patterson took questions from the audience which included questions on his future, driving, the nature of his surgery, and – from our cricketers – questions about his playing careers and statistics.
Thank you, Mr Patterson, for taking the time to speak to our pupils. It was truly inspirational hearing your story and we’re sure our pupils took a lot from it.