Pupils from Venturers’ Academy in south Bristol welcomed Preet Chandi to their school, who this winter became the first woman of colour to trek to the South Pole. Preet shared her story of adventure with the children, each of whom has a primary diagnosis of autism.
Preet told the school’s secondary students that she had decided to make the 700-mile trip to show that anyone, of any background or skin colour, could achieve anything they wanted, a can-do attitude that fits perfectly with the school’s motto ‘Where everything’s possible’.
“About three years ago I decided I’d like to go to Antarctica,” she said. “When I Googled it, I couldn’t see anyone who had been there who looked like me. However, when I looked it up again a couple of weeks ago, I saw a photo of myself!”
Preet, 32, an army physiotherapist, told the students how she spent more than two years training for her trip, which was challenging physically and financially. Polar Preet, as she has since become known, completed the ski trek in 40 days, battling temperatures of -50°C and pulling a heavy sled. Her weight dropped from 70 to 59kg during the journey.
The students, who were joined by a group from the neighbouring Merchants’ Academy Primary, had many questions for Preet, including “How did your food stay fresh?”, “Did you get frostbite?”, “Did you see any animals?” and “Were you scared?”
In response to the question, “Is winter your favourite season?” Preet described how, growing up, she hadn’t liked cold weather and always snuggled under a blanket at home. Her first experience of camping wasn’t until the age of 19.
Asked how she kept going at the toughest times, she said that she remembered Dory in the film Finding Nemo, who was determined to ‘just keep swimming’.
Venturers’ Trust Executive Lead, Trystan Williams, said, “Preet was wonderful with our students and truly gave them the sense that everything really is possible. At Venturers’ Academy we encourage our students to experience challenges – for example, three years ago we took part in a voyage around the British coast called The Wettest Classroom on Earth. However, such opportunities have been limited over the past two years because of Covid.
“Preet’s visit was inspirational for both students and staff, reminding us all that having aspirations and goals is really important and helps us to live life to the fullest.”
David Watson, CEO of Venturers Trust, the multi-academy trust of which Venturers’ Academy and Merchants’ Academy are a part, added, “It’s so important for young people to hear about the journey involved in achieving success, showing them that determination and focus is often required to reach ambitious goals. The Trust’s motto is ‘work hard, be kind’ and by sharing her incredible experience, Preet has shown our students what it looks like to bring that motto to life.”