Inspiration

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.

Dreaming is the easy part. Acting on the dream is harder. Recognise that a dream is a journey. On the simplest level it takes commitment, time, desire and courage.

To give those words some meaning perhaps it would help to give them some context and then perhaps you can create your own scenarios in your head of a really successful year and how that might involve lots of different challenges.

Commitment. School is difficult. It takes Will Power and Dedication. Think of commitment as that moment when you know you need to read through that final chapter in your book or finish off that homework but then your mind wanders to that snack in the cupboard or that Instagram upload you wanted to put out do you let yourself get distracted or do you bite your lip and push on through? Sometimes we have to commit to something we don't want to do or enjoy but if you can channel your focus you'll be a stronger person for it.

Time. Time is something I wish we could have more of, freeze or get back again, but we can't - and so we must use it wisely. Try and organise your time so that you can practice and get better. If you don't understand some work then spend time researching it and getting better don't just give up but try harder and make use of that precise time you have. As the old saying goes practice makes perfect

Desire. Desire to do really, really well. As well as you possibly can. Not by my standards, or your friends standards of your parents/grandparents standards but by your standards. Set the bar high. Harness the power of desire towards really wanting to stand outside this building in the summer feeling happy, if only in the knowledge that you had a strong desire to try hard and knowing that you did.

Courage. The ability to do something that frightens you. To be brave. Courage can become prominent in a range of scenarios and being resolute can be required every day. For some just getting up in the morning and coming into school, when you're anxious or upset can be courageous. So set little goals along the way and test yourself. The more we face adversity the easier we learn to cope. Pretty soon you'll be able to push the bar even higher and become even more courageous in your pursuit of your dreams.

Who knows one day you may just surprise yourself and do something unexpected. Some of us may have watched the cricket world cup in the summer. I did. Amazing. Some of you may have watched the most recent ashes test match against Australia when Ben Stokes displayed pure courage. But this courage was born of lots of things That dream he had as a child. Time to develop his skills through huge amounts of commitment and the insane desire to prove himself. Certainly all of us can learn something from his courageous story.

When number 11 Jack Leach joined Ben Stokes at the crease in the third Test against Australia, England`s Ashes hopes were all but over.

Joe Root`s side - despite the fervent backing of a passionate Headingley crowd on a sun-kissed bank holiday weekend - were tottering on 286-9, needing an unlikely 73 more runs to complete their highest run-chase in history and prevent Australia from wrapping up a victory that would see them retain the urn with two matches to spare.

Fans were convinced defeat was looming. Realistically, England`s only hope of winning rested on the shoulders of all-rounder Ben Stokes.

He, of course, has history in playing match-winning innings - most famously his heroic unbeaten 84 in the World Cup final in July.

After clubbing a couple of sixes off Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, people began to wonder More incredible strokeplay from Stokes followed as he hit boundaries to all parts of a raucous Headingley, while also protecting Leach from the majority of the strike.

Something special was brewing...The runs kept coming and the excitement kept growing for England fans. The support act for the Stokes show was Leach, who defended stoutly - in between cleaning his glasses. It was fine tactical play by Leach who was writing his own chapter in Ashes folklore. It was gripping and tense. The nation was holding its collective breath. Especially when Leach survived an lbw review by Australia and escaped being run-out when Nathan Lyon fluffed his lines...

Stokes should have been given out lbw too - but Australia had already wasted their reviews.

Amid almost unbearable tension and with England needing two to win, Leach collected his first run - off the 17th ball he faced - with a scampered single.

Then Stokes smashed the next delivery from Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins through the covers to complete a remarkable turnaround and one of the England`s greatest victories.

So you see you really are the masters of your destiny, so dream BIG and be committed, but never forget that help will always be here for you.