THE SUCCESS and hard work of students at a Rugby secondary school have been celebrated at an annual end-of-term awards ceremony.
Over 100 students at the Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College were rewarded with medals and certificates at the ceremony.
The school’s highest-achieving students were presented with awards recognising their hard work, commitment and academic success.
Each of the school’s faculties and subject areas nominated two students from each year group to receive a subject award. The subject areas also selected one student to receive the overall subject award.
In addition, one high-achieving student from each of the school’s Houses was selected by their Achievement Leader for an award.
The outstanding students of the year were Ryan Owens of Apollo House, Freya Lee of Fortune House, Jack Arbuthnott of Garrick House, and Jasmine Bush of Phoenix House.
Year 10 Apollo House student Kristof Karolyi was selected by the school’s headteacher for a special award, and Michael Rooney was chosen to receive the Don O’Neill Award.
The Alison Davies Award – a new award for 2024, named after the school’s former headteacher – was awarded to Garrick House’s Evan Williams for his commitment to the schools values.
With proud parents, carers, and family members in attendance, the students were presented with medals by co-chair of governors Janet Gilberts, and received certificates from the school’s headteacher Blake Francis.
For this year’s awards evening, the school invited Darren Harris, a double Paralympian and England’s most capped and most decorated blind footballer.
Darren was diagnosed and treated for cancer of both eyes aged just fifteen months. He made his England blind football debut in 1996, became captain in 2002 and has won 10 World and European medals. He has also represented Great Britain at judo.
Achievement Leader Carole Labreize said: “Our awards evening is a wonderful opportunity for our students to celebrate their achievements in front of their peers and with members of their family.
“The event is always well attended, and I thank everyone who came along.”
Headteacher Blake Francis added: “This event is a highlight in the school’s calendar and is a great opportunity to showcase our students’ talents, hard work, and skills.
“Our guest speaker, Darren Harris, was inspirational, and I hope his message about ‘unblinding your mind’ was taken on board by all those who heard him speak.”
