REMARKABLE, courageous, hardworking and determined students were rewarded with the highest honours at their school’s end-of-year prize-giving ceremony.
Star pupils from the Education Village Academy Trust, Darlington, were presented with their trophies at a glittering event celebrating the annual Student of the Year Awards.
Nominated by teaching staff for attitude, academic success, good behaviour, progress and overcoming adversity, 12 students from Beaumont Hill Academy, Gurney Pease Academy, Haughton Academy and Springfield Academy were shortlisted for the schools’ most prestigious accolade.
Hosting the event chief executive of the Education Village Academy Trust Mike Butler welcomed students, staff, parents, carers, families and friends to the event. Special guest Denise Parkin, representing Haughton Residents’ Association, which sponsors the evening, presented the trophies to the overall winners from each academy.
Mr Butler said: “The best part of my job is going into classrooms to see how our pupils are getting on and I am always massively impressed with their wonderful attitudes to learning, their desire to achieve and their attitude and willingness to help others.
“It is fantastic to be here to celebrate the achievements of our students, recognising their contribution to school life and their own personal triumphs and also to thank our tremendous team of staff and the invaluable support from parents and carers.”
Winner of the Gurney Pease Academy Student of the Year went to Year 6 student Emmanuella Adenuga who was shortlisted alongside Leo Lin, and Paige Williams.
Gurney Pease Academy deputy head Simon Heritage, who nominated Emmanuella, said: “Emmanuella is a student with great academic ability, a fantastic work ethic and superb behaviour.”
The award for the Beaumont Hill Academy student of the year was presented to pupil Ruby Norris who was shortlisted alongside fellow pupils Annabel Head and Callum Bennett.
Beaumont Hill Academy teacher Hannah Kelly, who nominated Ruby, said: “Ruby has had an amazing year; she has taken her first steps unaided and can now walk the full length of the corridor.”
Shortlisted for the Haughton Academy Student of the Year Award were pupils Adrian Kucia, Chloe Ireland, Marcus Fawcett and Gemma Challans
Education Village Academy Trust librarian Karen Fantarrow nominated Year 8 pupil Marcus who was presented with the overall winner’s trophy for making remarkable progress in reading.
“Marcus has proved this year just how much hard work really pays off,” said Mrs Fantarrow.
The final Student of the Year Award for Springfield Academy was contested by pupils Jamie Dyer, Ella Gowland, and Lucas Foster.
Winner Lucas collected the overall trophy after flourishing academically and socially in his final year of primary education.
Teacher Kelly McManus who nominated him said: “Lucas has shown outstanding progress, has developed a love for reading and language and now completes complex, evocative written work.”
Honours were also presented to the Beaumont Hill Primary Student Council, who were presented the Kevin Duffy Community Award for their hard work and dedication to supporting their peers, their enthusiasm to help and their ability to share.
Team of the Year went to the Lower Key Stage 2 Gymnastics Team from Springfield Academy for their dedication to training, proudly representing the school and doing so well in competitions.