COURAGEOUS, hardworking and determined students have all received 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 and overcoming adversity, 12 students from Beaumont Hill Academy, Gurney Pease Academy, Haughton Academy and Springfield Academy were shortlisted for the schools’ most prestigious accolde.
Deputy chief executive officer of the Education Village Academy Trust Richard Gartland said: “The awards celebrate the achievements of our students recognising their contribution to school life and their own personal triumphs.
“From dozens of nominations we had to shortlist it down to just 12 students so we were looking for something just that little bit special but it was a very hard job.”
Hosting the ceremony, in front of an audience of families’, friends and teaching staff, CEO Mike Butler welcomed special guest Denise Parkin and members of the Haughton Residents Association, who presented the trophies to the overall winners from each academy.
Winner of the Beaumont Hill Academy Student of the Year was Year 9 student Bradley Wilson who was shortlisted alongside fellow Year 5 student Liam Emmot and Year 2 pupil Angel Harbor.
Teacher Jo Wade who nominated Bradley said: “Despite not being able to communicate well Bradley is one of the most hardworking members of his class and shows great pride in his work.”
The award for Gurney Pease Academy Student of the Year went to Year 6 student Dorothea Roman who was shortlisted with John Mullett, Year 6 and Richard Whiting, Year 2.
Dorothea moved to Darlington from Romania in 2014, speaking little English, but impressed staff with her determination and her progress in learning the language and adapting to school life.
Shortlisted for the Haughton Academy Student of the Year award were Year 11 students Annabelle Woodcock, Raveen Bura and Reanna Martin.
Teacher Vickie Gorton nominated Annabelle Woodcock who was presented with the overall winner’s trophy.
“Annabelle has managed to overcome her dyscalculia to become a real role model for her peers,” said Ms Gorton.
The final Student of the Year award for Springfield Academy was contested by three non-related candidates all with the surname Walker, Casey, Year 4, Callum, Year 1 and Charlie, Year 6.
Winner Callum, six, collected his award after showing great courage overcoming major surgery to combat his Hirschsprungs Disease.
Teacher Jen Foster who nominated Callum said: “It has been a busy year for Callum with his many hospital appointments meaning he has not always been able to attend school.
“However he has tackled everything with a smile on his face and has also managed to make excellent progress in his reading, mathematics and written work.
Awards were also presented to the Makaton Choir for Team of the Year and Bradley Evans, who was awarded the Kevin Duffy Community Award for his significant contribution to helping within the community.
