Lewisham celebrated the successes and achievements of its schools over the past year with the first ever Lewisham Schools Awards, held at the Broadway Theatre, Catford on Wednesday 25 June.
There were eleven categories ranging from the Mayor’s Award for Achievement to the ‘Pupil Power’ School Council Award.
Pupils from Lewisham primary, secondary and special schools were delighted to receive their awards in front of an audience of over 450 proud parents and teachers.
The idea came from the borough’s headteachers. They wanted a public awards event where Lewisham schools would have an opportunity to share in the celebration of the many achievements of students and staff.
Award winners were presented with a star trophy and commendation winners received a certificate to mark their nomination and achievement.
Joining the celebration and presenting the awards were Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, Councillor Robert Massey, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, local comedienne, actress and writer Angie Le Mar and Samson Adeyemi, Lewisham’s Youth Parliament representative.
Angie Le Mar, who attended Lewisham Bridge Primary School as a child, was surprised when she presented an award to Deneice Graham, teacher at St James Hatcham, to discover that they had been at school together!
Congratulating the pupils and schools, Sir Steve said: “It never ceases to amaze me just how positive and creative the young people of Lewisham are."
“With the strong support of parents, teachers and school governors Lewisham pupils have achieved so much."
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“These Awards are our way of celebrating that achievement and showing our gratitude for the commitment and valuable contribution of all those involved in ensuring the borough’s children and young people get the very best education.”
The Awards were open to all Lewisham community, voluntary aided and Academy schools.
Nominations were made by pupils, school staff, governors, parents, local authority officers working with the schools, young people no longer at school or members of the community and judged by a panel of Lewisham headteachers.
Awards and commendations were presented to the following winners:
The Mayor’s Award for Achievement
Presented to pupils who demonstrate a refreshing and exciting approach to their learning and who have made significant progress towards outstanding achievement.
Daniel Thompson Quartey, Greenvale; Ashley George, Bonus Pastor College; Zachary Collier, Sedgehill.
Commendation
Alice Wilcox, Catford High; Melissa Whittle, Sedgehill.
The Local and Global Environment Award
Awarded for increasing environmental awareness among children, staff, parents and the wider community.
Stillness Infants School.
The ‘Working with Others’ Social Responsibility Award
This award is in recognition of individuals or groups of individuals, year groups or classes or a school where thinking of others and working for and with others in their own time, beyond expectation, happens as part of voluntary or charity work.
Gary May, Catford High.
The ‘Leading the School’ Headteacher and Chair of Governors Award
This award identifies headteachers and chairs of governors who have an inspiring vision for their school to give children and young people the best chances for success in their learning and their lives.
Cindy McGuinnity, Maria Parker, St Margaret’s Lee
Jon Sharpe, Tom Livingstone, Brent Knoll
Peter Walsh, Leslia Thauoos, Forest Hill
Matt Britt, Eyvonne Browne, St Mary’s CE.
The ‘Being There’ Award for Attendance
Nnamdi Oknoji, St Augustine's; Wing-San Chan, Catford High; James Wood, Brent Knoll; Juno Cox, Stillness Infants.
Commendation
Pareise Weldegabriel, Meadowgate; Poppy Class, Meadowgate; Cameron Barclay, Watergate; Ibrahim Tarawally, Watergate; Hubert Rudnik, Watergate; Max Odoch-Okello, Watergate; Gbemi Alade, Watergate; Luke Bransbury, Watergate; Emmanuel Aliker, Watergate; David Akoto, Watergate; Tiffany Martin, Watergate; Yara Aboubakar, Watergate; Sulaiman Jalloh, Watergate; Charlie Kebell, Watergate; Emily Gregory, Watergate; Jack Warrington, Greenvale; Chloe Ward, Greenvale; Uuehi Imienwarin, Greenvale; Regis Marnay, Greenvale; Daniel Thompson Quartey, Greenvale; Joe Cheeseman, Stillness Infants; Benjamin Moseley, Stillness Infants; Jenna Charles, Stillness Infants; Tomek Lesiecki, Stillness Infants; Rueben Petty, Stillness Infants; Emily Bogle, Stillness Infants; Ruby Webster, Stillness Infants; Floyd Hutchinson, Stillness Infant; Morgan Owen-O’Neill, Stillness Infants; Jonah Manning, Stillness Infants; Arthur Mullings, Stillness Infants; Melis Rebke, Stillness Infants; Komal Sharma, Stillness Infants; Jacob Smith, Stillness Infants.
The Young Mayor’s Award for Overcoming Challenges
This award is presented to pupils who have overcome significant challenges in their lives and have a really positive attitude to life and learning despite the difficulties they have faced and may still face now.
Georgia Quarry, St Margaret’s Lee; Gloria Bulage, Northbrook.
Commendation
Becky Simpson, St James Hatcham; Lilly Grange, Downderry; Ramone Ross, Sedgehill; Lauren Bangay, Sedgehill; Micah Roberts, Sedgehill.
The Sir Keith Ajegbo Award for Citizenship
Presented to a school, an individual or group of individuals who have shown real commitment and dedication to their roles in being a good citizen, promoting citizenship or helping others to understand what citizenship means.
Peer Mediators, St James Hatcham; Sarah Le Good, Catford High; Young Leaders, John Ball; Michael Tollan, Sedgehill.
Commendation
Jamie Narborough, Sedgehill; Gerald Aryeequaye, St Augustine’s.
The ‘Pupil Power’ School Council Award
This award recognises effective teamwork that makes a difference in schools.
The School Council, Adamsrill; Feyisayo Odesola, St James Hatcham; Jennifer Tabsansi, Catford High.
Commendation
The School Council, Stillness Infants; The School Council, John Ball; Giovanna Prince, Sedgehill; Monique Strachan, Sedgehill; Jedediah Watkins, Sedgehill.
The ‘My Best Supporter’ Award
Lorraine Harriott, St James Hatcham; Jackie Rozario, St Margaret’s Lee; Colin Omogbehin, Northbrook.
Commendation
Nina Dohel, Rathfern School.
The ‘My Best Teacher’ Award
Deniece Graham, St James Hatcham; Graeme Slate, Forster Park; Tim Greaves, Baring.
The Most Promising Performer Award
Dean Rodney II, Greenvale; Matthew Howe, Greenvale; Issac Palm, Watergate; Sodiq Babalola, Forest Hill; Nebenzial McLean, Northbrook.
Commendation
Shannen Dale, Sedgehill.