School Awards - Being The Best You Can Be

As a County Councillor, and with a particular interest in the education of our young people, I find that it is always a real privilege to be invited to the annual awards evenings of schools acress the county. As has become the norm in terms of my very high expectations, this year's celebration of achievement to mark the end of the school year at Wadham, once again came up trumps. In his opening address, head teacher David Derbyshire spoke of the rewards of a 'life well lived', where in addition to being the best you can be, through tolerance, kindness and forgiveness, we can all enrich the lives of the wider community.Conscious of those wanting to get home to watch the footie, we heard a thankfully short speech by Peter Lewis, Interim Director of Children's Services at SCC. He gave a 'then and now' comparison of the time when many of us older members of the audience would have expected to walk straight into a job on leaving school, and the current struggle that many now face. He reiterated that 'school is the most important social experience we ever have'; that it should be something special that remains with us, emphasising the importance of 'never forgetting' and keeping in touch. This is certainly something that I can identify with on a personal level. Despite moving over 30 times during my adult life, I am still best friends with someone I met at school at the age of 11. I may only see her once in a blue moon, but I know that she is always there, and provided me with the most valuable support when I was coping with cancer treatment ten years ago. As the Wadham pupils came up on stage to receive their awards, time after time the citations mentioned 'going the extra mile', not accepting second best, consistently exceeding targets, and doing more, not less. It was a joy to witness the myriad ways in which they had all been able to demonstrate achievement in a wide range of activities and curriculum subjects, whether it was having a go at Ten Tors, photographing two heads joined together (?!), or demonstrating debating skills that would surely be the making of any budding politician. President of the Head Student Team, George Marshall-James, in sharing the stage with fellow student Hannah Muntz to give a summary of the School Year, exhibited a level of confidence and poise envied by many of us when asked to stand before such a large crowd. But no matter, we were all on board and rooting for them, especially Cathy Tremain, who earned a standing ovation at the news of her retirement after 37 years, having spent her entire teaching career at Wadham. Thankfully she will continue to support the school in other ways.We also shared the undeniable pleasure of experiencing a wide range of entertainment by pupils, ably guided by Mrs. Simpson, and which included a piece written and performed admirably by Joseph Bending, and the hauntingly beautiful sound of Charlotte Kingston's voice to finish off the evening, but only after she had collected the coveted Head Teacher's Special Commendation. Well done Wadham, not least for having survived OFSTED earlier in the year and gaining high praise for the way in which the school operates at every level. True teamwork, with pupils, teaching and support staff all working together to achieve the common aim of, as Mr. Derbyshire said, 'being the best they could be'. Sound advice if ever I've heard it.