A WALL of fame featuring inspirational messages from celebrities including Stephen Fry, Dame Kelly Holmes and Sir Ian McKellen has been set up at a Llandaff school.
The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School completed the wall last week, after months of hunting down big names.
The wall comprises around 30 messages from celebrities including Stephen Fry, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sam Warburton, Dave Moorcroft and Tanni Grey-Thompson.
Sir Ian McKellen’s message referenced a quote from his character in the Lord of the Rings films, Gandalf.
He wrote: “If you don’t work hard for your examinations, you shall not pass! Love to Bishop of Llandaff students.”
Comedian and actor Stephen Fry sent a quote from the film Jeremiah Johnson: “Keep your nose in the wind and your eyes along the skyline…”
Former Olympian long-distance runner Dave Moorcroft wrote: “Greatness isn’t just a gift — sometimes it’s a choice. Good luck.”
The project is being driven by Michelle Griffiths, a teacher at the school.
She said: “Marc Belli, the headteacher, had the idea. Expectations are very high at the Bishop of Llandaff and we have one aim: to be the best school in Wales.
“So we try to think of ways to motivate the kids to achieve their best. Marc came up with the idea of an inspirational message wall and I’ve taken it on.
“I wrote to a load of celebrities, used some personal contacts and got all sorts of messages back. Only two people said no.
“I want to cover all areas of the curriculum. We’ve got messages from actors, sportspeople and even one from Derek Brockway, the BBC weatherman.”
Ms Griffiths has already set her sights on a second wall of messages.
“The project is still going. I’ve just got back to my office to find a new message from Judy Dench!
“The kids have been excited and asking for the likes of Harry Styles and David Beckham.
“We would love to get a message from Mo Farah. He will be running the Cardiff Half Marathon, and if we could get him in to speak to the kids, that would be great too.
“Ultimately, if even one student is inspired by these messages, then it’s all worthwhile.”
If you can help the school with contacts for their next wall, email Michelle Griffiths at griffithsm@bishopofllandaff.org .
