A NEWLY appointed headteacher joined in the celebrations as she prepares to lead students into a brighter future.
Mo Wilkinson told students, staff, parents and friends her secondment as head of Darlington School of Mathematics and Science had become permanent as the academy staged its annual awards ceremony.
“Prizegivings are my favourite nights of the year as we celebrate our students’ success,” she said. “But we don’t get to this point without a great deal of hard work by staff and students.”
She said even then students had to be prepared to cope with failure as this was when they would do their best learning.
Mrs Wilkinson said, when she was at school, she had not achieved the grades she had hoped first time round but had kept trying. Other notable ‘failures’ included Microsoft boss Bill Gates, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Mo Farrar, who had actually fallen during a race but gone on to win gold.
“The important thing is never to be afraid to have another go,” she said. “Believe in your dreams and aspire to be the best you can.”
Chairman of governors and deputy lord lieutenant Mark White presented prizes to past and current students for a variety of achievements including subject prizes, the UKMT Maths Challenge, outstanding exam results, dedication and commitment, progress, perseverance, effort, resilience and excellence.
Recently awarded an OBE, Mr White said: “I have worked in education for the past 40 years and have seen how it changes lives; it creates aspirations and pride in communities.
“Over the years I learnt to be more confident, to speak up and ask questions,” he said. “Successful leadership needs to be honest, to challenge, to motivate and not compromise on standards, so we are delighted to have Mrs Wilkinson as our new headteacher.”
Entertainment was provided by viola player Lucas Buckley, who played Solo Cello Suite No 1 in G Major and the DSMS Band, which performed Empire State of Mind.
Results
Governors Cup for Outstanding Achievement, Heather McKim
The Austin Brooks Rotary Club Youth Award, Ryan Reed
Richard Luck Trophy for Dedication and Commitment KS3, Adam Plumb
Richard Luck Trophy for Dedication and Commitment KS4, Andrew Nicholl
Bernie Coyne Cup for Team of the Year, Lydia Shale, Lauren Naisbitt, Abigail Fry, Emily Singlewood, Aaliyah White and Jessica Walledge
Mayor’s Cup for Progress, Jakub Joszki
Progress Award for Achievement, Andrew Nicholl
Middleton Greathead Cup for Progress, boy, Morgan Taylor
Middleton Greathead Cup for Progress, girl, Sharifah Aktar
The Hampson Cup for Achievement in maths, Emily Coates
The Flint Cup, Kaylum Bolton
The Knowles Cup, Abi Gould
James Barningham Award, Year 11 boy, Andrew Nicholl
James Barningham Award, Year 11 girl, Karimah Miah
James Barningham Award, Year 9 boy, Sam Raine
James Barningham Award, Year 9 girl, Na’ila Miah
The DSMS Trophy, Courtney Greaves
Dickinson Cup, Olivia Smith
Anne Poynton Trophy, Brandon Soanes
Clara Lucas Citizenship Award, boy, Reece Harper
Clara Lucas Citizenship Award, girl, Olivia Smith and Abi Gould
Reginald Gray Award, Matthew Currey
FC Coleman Award, Peter Gartland
Dr J Lloyd Trophy, Molly Leeson
Lady Dale Scholarship, Heather McKim
The Royal Navy Prize for Determination and Resilience, Chloe Lay
The Gerald Lee Cup, Kane Tervit
The Fl Lt Steven Johnson Shield, Samantha Gould
Branksome & Cockerton West Community Partnership Award, Lucas Buckley
Cockerton East Community Partnership Trophy, Joe Clark
Cockerton Methodist Church Trophy, Shannon Morgan