On Saturday July 3^rd, Casterton School welcomed the polar explorer Rosie Stancer to their annual Speech Day.

A diminutive 5'3" and a mother, 47 year old Rosie Stancer is not built in the image of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen and yet in March 2007 Rosie Stancer attempted to become the first woman in the world to walk solo to the North Pole.  Rosie’s expedition lasted for over 80 days and she was less than 90 miles from the pole when she gracefully subjugated her goal to ensure the safety of her pilots.  Rosie did however enter the record books by reaching the furthest North of any other female attempt, by several hundred miles and after an epic 84 days on the ice.

Rosie is a director for the charity Special Olympics GB, which seeks to provide sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-style events for people with learning disabilities.

Memorably described by one journalist as “a cross between Tinkerbell and the Terminator,” Rosie's appearance belies the inner strength that has so successfully propelled her to previous polar success. Her achievements are testimony to the fact that dreams can be realised through skill, determination and courage.