To celebrate International Teacher’s Day, Avenor College proudly hosted the 4th edition of the “What’s Worth Learning?” conference, featuring a remarkable guest: His Excellency Giles Matthew Portman, the British Ambassador to Romania. The Ambassador’s presence brought fresh perspectives and invaluable insights to the Avenor community, sharing both personal experiences and professional wisdom on essential life skills.
His Excellency’s keynote address touched upon crucial topics such as adaptability, the importance of doing what you love, mastering public speaking, developing emotional intelligence and lifelong learning. Delivered with a blend of humour and humility, the Ambassador encouraged students, teachers, and parents alike to consider these skills as vital for both personal and professional growth.
Adaptability: A Key to Success
One of the core themes of the Ambassador’s speech was adaptability, a skill he emphasised as fundamental, particularly in a world that is constantly changing. Drawing from his own diplomatic career, he shared personal stories where being adaptable allowed him to thrive in challenging circumstances. His message was clear: adaptability is an essential life skill, one that helps individuals navigate unexpected situations and seize opportunities. For students, the lesson was especially poignant—while having a plan is important, flexibility in the face of change is equally crucial.
Do What You Love
His Excellency also spoke about the importance of pursuing passions. He candidly shared that his original career path had nothing to do with diplomacy—he was once convinced that he would become an architect. His advice to students? It’s okay not to know exactly what you want to do right now. “The career is what happens to you while you’re busy worrying about it,” he said, urging students to focus on what they enjoy and excel at, rather than following a predetermined path.
Public Speaking: A Skill for Life
Another critical lesson the Ambassador imparted was the value of public speaking. He emphasised that in any career, the ability to effectively communicate in front of an audience is indispensable. Programs like Model United Nations (MUN), which encourage public speaking and debate, were praised as opportunities that students should seize to develop this skill. His Excellency highlighted how practice is key—the more you speak publicly, the better you become at it.
Emotional Intelligence: The Soft Skill Employers Value
In addition to IQ, the Ambassador spoke passionately about emotional intelligence (EQ), describing it as an increasingly valuable trait in today’s world. “EQ is incredibly important to employers,” he said, “because it reflects your ability to connect with people from different backgrounds and experiences.” He encouraged students to take part in extracurricular activities like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or volunteer opportunities, which help build emotional intelligence by fostering collaboration and empathy.
Learning Beyond School: A Lifelong Journey
A recurring theme throughout the Ambassador’s speech was the idea that learning never stops. While academic success is important, he emphasised that wider life experiences—often gained through extracurricular activities—can teach valuable lessons that traditional classroom settings may not. Reflecting on his own school years, His Excellency admitted that he wished he had been more involved in extracurriculars, encouraging students to take advantage of the opportunities available to them.
When asked about one of his biggest life lessons, the Ambassador shared a powerful message: “It’s okay to admit when you don’t know something and to ask for help.” He explained that acknowledging gaps in knowledge and seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a strength. This humility, he said, is one of the most important things to learn—whether in school, in a career, or in life.
As the conference concluded, His Excellency left the Avenor community with a profound reflection: both good days and bad days are learning experiences, and each day offers an opportunity to grow.
We thank His Excellency for the visit, for sharing his personal experiences with us, and for the lessons delivered in such an open and engaging manner.
