Teachers, governors, trustees, parents, carers and members of Transform Trust, held two celebration events to celebrate their schools in Derby and Nottingham. In July we gathered at the County Cricket Ground, home of Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Our Nottingham schools then attended a ceremony at Colwick Hall Hotel. Both events celebrated the phenomenal achievements of the children throughout the academic year.
Sponsored by friends of the Trust, Aquinas, (an education recruitment agency which supports schools in the East Midlands and across the UK), this joyous annual event celebrates children that demonstrate and radiate our values of Respect, Kindness, Equity and Creativity that underpin every aspect of school life, inside and outside of the classroom.
CEO, Rebecca Meredith welcomed over 156 prize-winning children across the two events, nominated by their teachers and peers, from the Trust’s fourteen Nottingham Primary schools and seven Derby Primary Schools.
Four special Superhero Awards were given to Derby children who have really stood out this year. Amera Adeymo from Breadsall was diagnosed with a life-limiting illness called Niemann-Pick disease type C. Since then, Amera with support of her family, staff and friends at Breadsall, has shown 100% strength and resilience and brings joy and happiness to everyone she meets. Likewise, Saanvi Annapareddy at Ravensdale has overcome a traumatic injury earlier this year showing incredible resilience and determination. She has a remarkable work ethic and hasn’t let her injury or time off impact reaching her full potential. Toby Goodman, from Lawn Primary school, was nominated for all four awards by his peers and staff. Toby radiates these values every day and is a wonderful role model. He is beloved and respected by everyone at school, due to his impeccable manners, the kindness he shows to everyone and the pride he takes in everything he does. Finally, a Superhero award went to one of the Trust’s youngest pupils. Maryam Ali, age 5 from Zaytouna as she was praised for her exceptional attitude to every aspect of school life and always emanating the school values with a huge smile on her face – she certainly captivated her audience during her time on stage, as did all her prize-winning peers.
Over in Nottingham, six children also received a prestigious Superhero Award. As well as living out the Trust values, this year’s Superheroes were all nominated for their remarkable triumphs. Madison Murden from Whitegate has raised over £8,000.00 from cake sales and sponsored runs, including Robin Hood mini marathon over the past 3 years for the Nottingham charity Forever Stars, an East Midlands charity dedicated to supporting families who’ve suffered a stillbirth or infant loss. A link to the charity can be found here if you would like to be involved: https://www.foreverstars.org/. Young star of the stage . Adreanna Steventon-Todd from Sneinton Primary has wowed audiences at the Nottingham Playhouse in the show Identical, and now as Nala in the UK and European tour of the Lion King. Never too big for her boots, Adreanna radiates all the Transform Values all the time and is a valued member of the Sneinton community. Irelia Walker from Highbank has won the hearts of her peers and teachers as she has shown true resilience after suddenly suffering the loss of her father. Through this traumatic time for her family, Irelia has been a wonderful ‘big sister’ and radiates sunshine in school with her kind and heartwarming smile. Emeli from Parkdale has shown remarkable resilience and earned the respect of her school as she battles with many illnesses which cause pain and discomfort and require frequent stays in hospital. No matter what Emeli is dealing with she is always positive, always smiling and a total ray of sunshine. Her work ethic is extraordinary and has always completed every school task to the highest standard. Lily Thompson from Brierley Forest is a born leader and embodies every superhero quality. She gets involved and gives 100% to everything at school – Children’s Parliament, Reading Ambassador, School Council, Reading Buddy and she is the founding member of Eco Warriors. She also helps her family with the many rescue dogs they support and is truly dedicated to making the world a better place. Finally, South Wilford’s Ollie Rainbow has shown remarkable resilience and bravery coming to terms with alopecia. He has impressed the whole school and inspired the Year 6 to dramatise ‘The boy with flowers in his hair’ – a book which addresses alopecia. This touching performance raised awareness and gave Ollie the confidence to shave his head with pride.
There was also one special award category devoted to grown-ups – and that was the Governors’ Award. Both Nottingham and Derby’s events rewarded many grown-ups that had made a difference to our children’s lives. Governors give their precious time and share their expertise willingly and selflessly. Transform Trust is enormously grateful of the generosity of their governors and trustees and wanted to publicly recognise their invaluable contribution they make to their schools.
In Derby, there were two heart-warming performances from the pupils. Breadsall Hill Top Primary school brought the house down with the cheeky hit song from Matilda “Naughty”. Whilst Lawn Primary School choir ended the ceremony with a touching rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s classic, “True Colours”. Their enthusiasm and smiles were infectious, In Nottingham, William Booth choir did an emotional rendition of “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten, the entire room was captivated – and we spotted a few dabs to the eyes!
The Children’s Awards celebration is the highlight on the calendar for Rebecca Meredith, CEO, Transform Trust – and she explains why:
“Today is all about the children, as it should be. We celebrate the children that really do embrace and embody the values that underpin our schools and communities. It’s not about the fastest runner or the best SATs results – it’s about the qualities that support a diverse, equitable, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. They are all superheroes.”
We have had fantastic weeks celebrating the wonderful events that mark the end of another successful academic year. Well done to every award winner and thank you to all the grown-ups who helped make sure both ceremonies were a success. We’re already full of ideas for next year’s celebrations!
