After Olympic dream, Tom Daley is back in the classroom
OLYMPIC star Tom Daley is diving into his school books after his first day back in class in the wake of the Beijing Olympics.
Tom, 14, joined classmates in Year 10 at Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth where he is starting his studies for his GCSEs.
But Tom is still no ordinary student – he left lessons at 1pm to attend the launch of the Tiger Woods 09 computer game in London. And this morning he was taking part in an Olympic breakfast with gold medal rower James Cracknell and BBC presenter John Inverdale.
Then he was joining Radio 1 presenters Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw for the BBC Switch show.
The teenager was watched by millions on television as he clinched seventh in the men's 10-metre platform diving and eighth in the men's synchro final with Blake Aldridge.
But staff at the school said they tried to keep his two lives separate – though Tom's achievement was mentioned and applauded by classmates during the Year 10 assembly.
Tom said: "It was really good; it was good to see all my friends and say 'hello'.
"They were saying 'well done' and have been really welcoming and supportive.
"I did not mind the applause but it was a bit embarrassing. I have just got my timetable and found out what I need to do this year."
College vice-principal Simon Crawford said: "From the start, our mindset has been to keep his school life as separate as possible from his diving, while at the same time celebrate his fantastic achievements.
"We just wanted to give him time to talk with his friends, whom he has not seen for several weeks.
"It is great to have him here. He is a lovely lad and he is doing excellent work at school."
He added Tom benefited from the school's renowned use of the internet and email to allow him to complete schoolwork no matter where he was in the world.
Following his Olympic success, Tom is firmly on the celebrity circuit. He was invited by EA Games to the launch of the latest in the Tiger Woods golf series in London.
Tom added he was not sure whether the great golfer would be there himself.
He added he had bumped into the games company at an awards ceremony and they had sent him a Nintendo Wii console and several games. Tom, accompanied by his father Rob, was not really sure of details such as the venue of the launch event in the whirl of fame.
He is studying for nine GCSEs in his chosen subjects – Maths, English, Spanish, double science and an IT course, which is the equivalent of four GCSEs.
22 Comments
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by angela, Plymouth
Thursday, September 04 2008, 6:16PM
“And yes I would agree it would be the best place for him. It is a wonderful school set in the most beautiful grounds.May be someone would like to sponsor him for a place there”
by angela, Plymouth
Thursday, September 04 2008, 6:11PM
“Molly I just can't recall a diving pool there mind you its been about 4 yrs since I was last there”
by Molly, Sutton
Thursday, September 04 2008, 5:26PM
“Angela, Millfield School is at Street in Somerset. Go look at their website. They specialise in giving top quality education alongside the very best and unrivalled sports facilities. They have so many current and future champions that someone like Tom Daley would be able to live a normal life away from all the attentions of the press.”
by Brian, Babbacombe
Thursday, September 04 2008, 4:25PM
“Whatever his father does or anybody around him does is not down to Tom. Give the kid a break, he's got feelings. He's only fourteen for goodness sake. Some of the comments, from adults who should know better, are tantamount to bullying. Anybody would think he had done something wrong.”
by angela, Plymouth
Thursday, September 04 2008, 3:11PM
“It's a shame that the two from our region that DID win medals ranking them higher in their chosen sports than Master Daley don't get the same recognition and that is what is p**** people off. He may not have asked for all this publicity but his father courts it all the time”
by Brian, Babbacombe
Thursday, September 04 2008, 3:00PM
“What is it about a small minority of Brits? This kid has represented G.B. in the Olympic Games, reached the finals and returned home the seventh best diver in the world and yet he gets negative comments. Tom Daley is a very bright normal schoolboy who loves his sport. It just so happens he is a diving prodigy and all his achievemnts, not just the Olympics, have created worldwide interest and he has a fan base stretching from the USA to China and they are interested in everything he does. None of this is Tom Daley's doing, it's what his supporters want.
As a fellow Devonian I'm proud of Tom and wish him luck in the junior world diving championships in Aachen.
Anyway, I don't think Tom will lose any sleep over a few cynics. He's too bright for that.”
by Melanie, elburton
Thursday, September 04 2008, 1:37PM
“what a bunch of sad old jealous losers you lot are (negative lot) its not just that he's ordinary and he's gone back to school. it's the fact he's achieved something worth a lot to our country remember he's only 14, and he's just started out in his sport, I wish him all the best. look how much press coverage jade goode gets who's interested in her you lot i expect, I'd rather read more about tom dailey. typical of people in this country not being proud of our hopefuls, its better our kids look up to him than a lot of the other losers that people pick up the papers to read about.”
by Shirley, Plymouth
Thursday, September 04 2008, 12:46PM
“More non news!
This is another example, of the fixation with celebrity status. wots next big celebrity big brother! oh and he won wot?”
by Jax, PLYMOUTH
Thursday, September 04 2008, 12:46PM
“Yes he gets a lot of publicity and yes sometimes too much, but give him the credit for always having a smile on his face and never appearing "too big for his boots." He should also be praised for his committment.”
by Whatever, Geneva
Thursday, September 04 2008, 11:08AM
“Leave him alone now...please...”