AN internationally acclaimed humanitarian and former Bradford Grammar School pupil has visited her old school to deliver an inspirational talk to students.

Kate Newton, from Bradford, spoke to students, parents and staff as part of the school’s prestigious annual Speech Day.

The 43-year-old, who was awarded an MBE for services to emergency and humanitarian relief in recognition of her groundbreaking work in international humanitarian affairs, spoke about her own personal journey to inspire student’s to follow their dreams.

Currently working as a humanitarian adviser for Asia and the Caribbean for the Department for International Development, since leaving Bradford Grammar Ms Newton has worked in a number of troubled and war-torn nations around the world, including Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Haiti.

She has also previously worked as Deputy Country Director for the UN World Food Programme in Syria, and spent 14 years at the World Food Programme as a Programme Officer.

After leaving Bradford Grammar, she studied English at the University of Oxford, before achieving a Masters degree in Humanitarian Affairs at Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts in the US.

Speaking to the gathered audience of students, Ms Newton said: “My advice to all young people is your time is limited, don’t waste it living somebody else’s life.

“Have the courage to follow your heart and trust your instincts. Your mind is very powerful, much more powerful than you know, and if you adopt an attitude of total enthusiasm, you will get there.

“I absolutely loved my time at Bradford Grammar School.

“The skills that I learnt at Bradford Grammar, whether it’s how to form an argument, how to write an essay or how to stand up and speak, are never far from my thoughts.

“I hope that in the future today’s pupils will share their talents with the world, come back to school, and continue to help it flourish.

“The teachers are incredibly inspiring – and I urge all the students to try and keep in touch with the school.

“Bradford is a great place to be and the city is feeling more interconnected each time I return.

“Bradford Grammar is part of a growing connectivity and civic interaction. You can feel it in the atmosphere and I think this is fantastic for the students.”

Simon Hinchliffe, headteacher at Bradford Grammar, added: “We were delighted to welcome Kate back to Bradford Grammar.

“Her visit has been a great success with overwhelmingly positive feedback.

“She is a compelling speaker with a wealth of experience and wisdom drawn from her professional and personal life.

“Her tremendous passion for tackling poverty and educating the young is inspiring.”