12:11pm Monday 1st March 2010
EIGHTY three students from Ealing secondary schools were presented with Jack Petchey Achievement Awards at a special ceremony held at Greenford Assembly Hall last month.
The event honoured Achievement award winners aged 11-25 who received medallions to go with their framed certificate and a cheque for £200 for their schools which has already been presented. They were nominated by their peers and leaders, winning awards for a variety of achievements but mostly for doing their best. Prize money has mainly been spent on extra resources and equipment.
Three adults were also celebrated who had demonstrated, in an outstanding way, an ability to motivate young people. The Leader award winners received a medallion and a framed certificate.
Winners included Kersen Bird, aged 12, from Cardinal Wiseman School.
Kersen won his award because against all the odds Kersen maintained his position in top set French through sheer hard work and dedication. He struggled hugely at first but now enjoys it so much that he has asked to participate in the school trip to Paris next year. The grant was used to treat the group with whom he will be travelling to a meal in a Parisien restaurant.
School mate Anthony Francis, aged 14, won his award for showing maturity and commitment to year 10 after some very difficult years in school when he was in constant trouble. Anthony has shown a huge improvement in attitude for which he should be proud.
The grant has been used to purchase a set of "manga" books for the library, and headphones for pupils who need quiet.
Billie Jo Boyd, aged 14, from the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls is captain of the Police Cadets and campaigns against knife crime. She also raises money for the charity CLIC Sargeant.
Billie-Jo has used the grant money for the GEEK Club which is a lunchtime science club at school. She has ordered a rocket factory starter pack, mist machine and smart putty for the club.
Rania Seddik, aged 11 from the same school, won her award for starting her own sign language club and she has been very mature and open about her disability. Rania is helping to alleviate misconceptions and answer questions about being hearing impaired.
The award has been spent on the sign language club to purchase five "Lets Sign" Pocket Dictionaries. The remaining money has been set aside for a trip to the bowling alley for members of the club in April.
VIPs who attended included councillor Jason Stacey, leader of Ealing Council; Bob Anderson, Assistant Director of Children’s Services; Inspector Dominic Lemonde from Ealing Met Police and Cllr Barbara Yerolemou, Mayor of Ealing, who can be seen in the group pictures. She said “On behalf of Ealing, I’m very grateful to the Jack Petchey Foundation for all the encouragement and enthusiasm they give to young people in the borough. It has been a great honour to take part in tonight’s event and to congratulate the young achievers.”
Entertainment was provided by Vardan Petrosian from Greenford High School and the West London Academy Band.
The awards scheme provides funding of £35,400 each year to schools in Ealing. To date 290,000 has been awarded to youth organisations in the borough since funding began in 2006.
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