STUDENTS were urged to take a leap of faith by a skydiver at an awards ceremony to recognise academic achievement.
Jump leader for the Red Devils freefall parachute display team Andy Braye urged pupils at Longfield Academy, Darlington, to conquer their fears as they faced their futures.
Aged just 16, Andy, of Middlesbrough, became the youngest ever qualified British Army paratrooper in the UK.
Now 30, he told Year 11 school leavers, who were among an audience of students, teachers, parents and the Mayor and Mayoress of Darlington Coun Gerald Lee and his wife Ruth, at the school’s annual prize-giving ceremony: “The truth is that the future can be scary.
“Leaving school, going to university, starting a job are all exciting times but also times to overcome any fears you have about what the future holds, to be courageous, prepare for what you want to do and act upon it.”
Before helping to hand out awards he recalled his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and his decision to train as a skydiver after leaving the army.
“There were many times when I was afraid; my first military parachute jump when I was just a teenager; when our platoon was given orders to move into a war zone in Basra and when, on my third freefall jump, my parachute malfunctioned sending me into an uncontrollable spin,” he said.
“Luckily I survived all three, but I admit I was scared and that is the first step to overcoming any fear in life; admit you are scared, prepare to overcome it and then act.
“This applies in every aspect of life. You need to work hard, be respectful put time and effort into preparing for what you want and then act upon it. Be courageous and never let fear ruin your life.”
Alongside Year 11 awards, prizes and trophies were also awarded to all year groups for academic and sporting excellence, as well as individual trophies for services to the community, attendance, perseverance, friendship, and personal achievement.
Multiple award winner Andrew Lambert, 17, of Darlington, was presented with the Dr Ions Memorial Cup for best overall GCSE results after gaining 12A*/A grades two B grades and one C grade; The Dr Hannah Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in science for achieving the highest grades in his year group with As in chemistry, physics and biology and The Key Stage 4 English Literature Award for dedication and commitment to the subject.
“I thought I was only coming here to collect one award this evening so to be presented with three was a bit of a surprise,” said Andrew who is now at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College studying law, politics, biology and business studies at A level.
Invited guests presenting special awards included: Marie Green who presented The Austin Brooks Youth Award to student Grace Davies on behalf of Darlington Rotary, The Worshipful Master David Devine who awarded the Services to the Community Trophy to Emma Moorcock on behalf of the Freemasons and Natalie Moody, account manager for CAPITA who handed the CAPITA Awards for Academic Achievement to David Spratt and Lucy Airton.
Head teacher Susan Johnson said: “This has been Longfield Academy’s most successful period ever in the history of the school and recent figures also show that we are achieving above all of the national average key measures.
“Tonight represents the best in what has been an excellent year and shows the results of the hard work, perseverance and determination of our pupils, parents and staff.”
Trophy and award winners for 2014
The Academic Achievement Award, Hope Murray
The S Johnson Key Stage 4 Curriculum Award, Ashley Nelson
Dr Ions Memorial Cup for Best Overall GCSE results, Andrew Lambert
Dr Hannah Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in science, Andrew Lambert
The Barbara Collishaw Award for Outstanding Achievement in mathematics, David Spratt
The Albert Hill Award for Outstanding Effort in English, Kane Rucroft
Student’s Union Shield for Year 7 Progress, Cameron Abbott
The Elizabeth Hart Award for the most Outstanding Pupil in Year 7, Ross Howell
The Alan Milburn Award for Year 8 Progress, James Bartram
Tony Price Cup for Instrumental Progress in Year 9, Cameron Wallace
Mavis Robson Cup for Progress in Strings, Luke Swainston
McCormick-Henderson Cup for service in Band or to Choir, Jack Raisbeck
The S Davidson Award for Performing Arts, Amy Holiday and Samantha Wilson
Linda Young Memorial Cup for Food Technology, Tyler Bennett
Doreen Hunter Rose Bowl for Outstanding Commitment to Food Technology, Nicola Kirtland
Ann Towers Memorial Rose Bowl for ICT, Ella Miller
The Parent association Vice Presidents Cup for Creative Writing – Lower School, Storm Henry
The Maughan Elgie Shield for Creative Writing – Upper School, Abigail House
Ben Carrick memorial Trophy for Perseverance, Wayne Davenport
Wesley Lowe Memorial Cup for Science, Callum Bates
Lower School STEM Award, Jack Gilroy
Upper School STEM Award, Georgia Lovejoy
Catherine B Veitch Cup for Foreign Modern languages, Georgia Lovejoy
Craft Plaque for Resistant Materials Technology, Ethan Friel
Nicola Wise Memorial Trophy for Perseverance, Yasmin Douglass
June Theakston Memorial Cup for Services to Pupil Voice
The Andrew Austin Friendship Trophy, Benjamin Doherty