St Richard's presentation night

Current pupils, the leavers of 2010, families, staff and governors gathered together to recognise the outstanding achievements of the past academic year. Their guest speaker was Jake Meyer, the world record breaking mountaineer. He told how he had tried mountaineering for the first time at the age of 12 and this “light-bulb” moment changed the direction of his life. Jake recalled how at the age of 14, he “set his sights as high as possible” by setting himself the challenge of becoming the youngest person to climb the Seven Summits; the highest mountain on each continent. He then described the physical and mental challenges he faced on his way to achieving his dream of standing on top of Mount Everest. Mr Meyer advised the leavers and current St. Richard’s pupils that success came from “following your dream” whatever it is. He urged them to decide on their ultimate goal and do everything possible to get there by working as part of a team and by breaking their goal down into “smaller manageable chunks” which is when “things become possible.” Head Boy Joshua Bishop, thanked him for attending the evening and said: “Through his ambition, inner strength, and approach to the many opportunities in life, I feel that Mr Meyer encompasses the ethos of our school.” Head Girl Sophie Baker then gave the final vote of thanks: “At St Richard’s our school motto is ‘Comitas, Caritas, Scientia’ - ‘community, charity, knowledge’. Every day, our pupils live out this motto, and tonight has been our opportunity to celebrate this, as well as their many other achievements and talents.” Principal Doreen Cronin gave a report on the events and achievements of the past academic year but started by paying tribute to the late Michael Brierley who died suddenly in March by quoting one of the pupils ‘Sir was an integral part of our school’. She began by drawing attention to the vast amount of fundraising (£15,134.42 in total) and charity activities carried out by pupils highlighting the importance of reaching out to the vulnerable and serving others. The PTFA also raised £7,000 which will be used along with other money from the PTFA bank account to purchase a new minibus. She then spoke about the range of clubs, trips and enrichment activities on offer to the pupils enabling them to extend themselves and use their talents. Achievements in competitions at local and national level were listed including a number of top prizes whilst maths challenge awards included 13 gold, 35 silver and 63 bronze. Sporting success was acknowledged as record-breaking over the past academic year. Tribute was paid to the music and drama departments for their regular programme of concerts and performances throughout the year. Awards gained by the college in the past academic year included: Fairtrade status, Inclusive Schools at its highest level – Transforming and Learning; Investors-in-Careers status, Kitemark award for the quality of the PSHEE programme, redesignation as Investors-in-People, specialist science status and a Fairtrade school. The Leavers were congratulated on their examination success (89% five or more A*-C grades, with 76% achieving five or more A*-C grades including Maths and English) as were pupils from Years 9 and 10 who had completed some GCSE exams early. Finally, pupils were praised for their keenness and commitment to succeed in all aspects of school life. Their contributions and achievements were acknowledged as outstanding. PRIZE AND TROPHY WINNERS: 2009/2010 ART Keech Cup - Melissa Carey Prizes - Catherine Glazbrook, Cyril Rabino BUSINESS STUDIES Prize - Kerry Brown DRAMA Cowley Trophy - Ryan Harman Charles Gardiner Memorial Prize - Sarah Coleman/Tessa Patterson Prize - Lois Daly ENGLISH Nationwide Trophy - Renz Rabe Shaw Cup - Colin Hamilton Thomas Prize - Sylwia Srodek Prizes - Carla McKeon, Ellen Stickland, Eleanor Watts HUMANITIES O’Neill Shield - Max Maher Connor Cup -Talib Dar Alexander Prize - Aysha Carne The Tulloch Award - Georgia Lea Leisure & Tourism Prize - Lydia Bunn Prizes - Eleanor Stebbing, Olivia Crowhurst, Patrick Pope ICT ICT Trophy - Sam Wilson Active Computers Trophy - Matthew Geer JAM Computer Networks Award - Samuel Beckett Prizes - Niall Duffy, Annie Blizard LIBRARY Traice Cup - Tamsin Paige Prizes - Phoebe Gurden, Iona Murphy MATHEMATICS Nationwide Trophy - Alona Shaji Koe Cup - Rosie Matt Prizes - William Carne, Tim Conneally, Stella Rossi MEDIA STUDIES Tongue Shield - James Hobden Prizes - Matthew Morley, Joshua Marden MODERN LANGUAGES Modern Languages Super Salver - Megan Milarski French: Begley Cup - Anna Hellett Prizes - Luke Steele, Charlotte Hunt German: Burman Shield - Anna Rice Nick Ahari Award - Gavin Clarke Prizes - Nadia Tweedie-Walker, Klaris Chan MUSIC Begley Award - Madeleine Fryer Gagen Award - Emily Wake Peggy Allen Award - Jessica Rann Lynn Vocal Award - Saskia Burke Sinclair Trophy - Joshua Bishop Prizes - Oliver March, Catherine Terry PE School Shield - Izzy Burt Toope Shield - Harry Finch PE Dept Shield - Alice McDonald Dance Cup - Jasmine Topliss Prizes - Chloe Howe, Ellie Williams, Matilda Andrews, James Coyle RE Brock Cup - Esme Balp The Robertson Award - Maxine Pieterse Prizes - Ben Skilton, Tillita Maher, Grace Canelle-Dance, Isaac Andrews SCIENCE McPherson Cup - Victoria Turner Imbery Shield - Paul Colognese May Shield - Dominic Cockerton The Brignall Award - Connor Durkin Prizes - Shenouda Hennes-Boulos, Vijay Jackson, Natasha Wilding de Miranda TECHNOLOGY Veness Cup - Joven Rodriguez Hodge Cup - Olivia Benge The Michael Brierley Award - Alfie Fitzakerley Prizes - Isobel Rann, Anthony Sullivan, Jack Kitchen SPECIAL AWARDS 2009/2010 STANDING ATTENDANCE CUP - Annalisa Kiely and Jordan Green McMEEKIN AWARD FOR FELLOWSHIP - Matthew Morley HARRIS MEMORIAL CUP - Aysha Carne GRAND KNIGHTS’ MEMORIAL CUP FOR ENDEAVOUR - Jethron Macabante and Jakub Poroslo TOWARDS A BETTER ENVIRONMENT/WORLD - Interact Club (represented by Kelly Sumpter) McDONAGH CUP - Sandra Soinska DE SOUZA CUP - Sam Wilson OUTSTANDING OVERSEAS STUDENT AWARD - Renz Rabe THE MATTHEW WILMSHURST AWARD - Year 11 Girls Netball Team (2009-2010) (represented by Alice Smith and Emma Cannon) CARING FOR GOD’S CREATION - Charlie Di Lieto, Amelia Harrison and Isaac Morrison BRIAN SAYERS AWARD - Frankie Smith DONALDSON SHIELD FOR ENDEAVOUR - Jade Clarke CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BEXHILL - James Hobden, Ellen Stickland, Sophie Baker, Emily Wake, Matthew Geer, Joshua King THE LIONS CLUB AWARD - Patrick Bokšan-Cullen THE POOLE CUP - Rosie Matt CATENIAN/VAL BOWLER MEMORIAL FOR THE DISABLED - Lourdes Group (represented by Nicola Marsden and Dominic Cockerton) DOWNS COLLEGE/PARK COLLEGE AWARD - Thomas Graebe DOWNS COLLEGE/PARK COLLEGE PRIZE - Jamie Ashford HAROLD LAWRENCE PRIZE FOR ENDEAVOUR - Alona Shaji THE MOULDING TROPHY - Dominique Bermingham PTFA AWARD - Anna Hellett and Kamila Skowronski THE TOM BUCK FRIENDSHIP AWARD - Sonny Pringle MAYOR OF BEXHILL AWARD: Max Maher THE CULLEN CUP - Guinevere Tsang THE KELLY QUAICH - Nicol Beadle and Shannon Whyborne THE CAMPBELL AWARD - Caitlin Giddins and Sam Amis HEAD BOY/HEAD GIRL: VOTE OF THANKS - Mark Longmire and Megan Milarski GOVERNORS’ CUP - Victoria Turner and Conal Groves